In Bold Protest, Dalit Bride Reaches Udaipur Collectorate on Horseback Holding Jyotiba-Savitribai Portraits

Udaipur- In a rare and powerful sight in the heart of Udaipur city on Thursday, a newlywed Dalit bride was seen riding a horse, holding portraits of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule in her hands. Accompanied by hundreds of Bhim Army workers raising slogans, the procession marched through the streets. The air echoed with powerful chants: “Ab Rajasthan mein koi Dalit ki beti ghodi se nahi utari jayegi” (Now no Dalit daughter in Rajasthan will be forced down from a horse). As the cavalcade moved forward, vehicles came to a halt and onlookers stood stunned, watching the unique protest.

This was none other than Pooja Meghwal, the same bride whose wedding procession (Bindoli) was attacked just days ago on the night of April 29 in Hariyav village under Dabok police station. Around 15 people, including women from the village, allegedly stopped the procession, hurled casteist slurs, forcibly pulled the bride down from the horse, stopped the DJ, and attacked the baraatis with stones, sticks, rods, and swords. Fifteen people were injured in the assault and mangalsutras were snatched from women.

On Thursday, Pooja Meghwal once again sat on a horse and reached the District Collectorate to demand justice. Fighting back tears, she said, “I was humiliated. My family was beaten up. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but it turned into a nightmare.”

The protest was organized by Bhim Army in response to the caste-based atrocity. The rally started from Town Hall and passed through various routes before reaching the District Collector’s office, where a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the Collector.

Bhim Army State President Jitendra Hatwal strongly demanded strict action and said, “The police administration should take stern action against the culprits instead of trying to protect casteist criminals through mere formalities. The entire incident is clear — the bride was dragged down from the horse, stones were pelted, and people were attacked with sticks and swords. Such casteist elements are gaining courage in Rajasthan, which is why these incidents are not stopping.”

Bhim Army spokesperson Anil Panor gave a stern warning: “If the government does not take strict action against such criminals, the day is not far when Rajasthan’s stone-pelters will be talked about in the same breath as Kashmir’s stone-pelters.”

Bhim Army leader Roshan Meghwal said that only four people have been arrested so far, while there are nine named accused in the FIR. The organization has demanded the immediate arrest of all accused, change of the investigating officer, and provision of security and compensation to the victim family. He warned that if their demands are not met, Bhim Army will soon lay siege to Jaipur.

Prominent leaders present in the protest included Azad Samaj Party’s State Vice President Gopal Parmar, National Committee member Satyawan Indsar, Lala Meghwal, Bhim Army District President Kundan Khokawat, Dinesh Meghwal, Amrit Lal Yadav, Suraj Meghwanshi, Ravi Meghwal, Om Prakash Meghwal, Shanti Lal Meghwal, Chetram Bairwa, Naresh Meghwanshi and many other office-bearers of the Bahujan society.

Bhim Army described Pooja Meghwal’s horseback ride to the Collectorate as the “return of honour”. Volunteers said, “Manuvadis had pulled her down from the horse, but Bhim Army made her ride the horse again and delivered a strong message across Rajasthan, the dignity of Dalit women will no longer be violated.”

The protest, which concluded with loud “Jai Bhim” slogans, created a huge buzz across Udaipur city.