Village in Etah on edge after clash over Dalit marriage

Dhakpura village under Awagarh police station limits in Etah district remained tense on Sunday (June 22, 2025) after a marriage procession of a Dalit family was obstructed and allegedly attacked by some individuals of dominant caste on Saturday (June 21, 2025) night. One policeman was injured while controlling the situation. Local Dalits alleged of facing threats and inaction by police. Police force is stationed in the village to calm down tension. Senior district police officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police, reached the village to control the situation.

“The groom was coming from Hathras. As the bride is from the village and belongs to economically weaker family, the marriage was supported financially by all communities in the village. The marriage procession was going to the bride’s house, but some people asked to take it to the whole village before reaching the destination. While passing through the settlement of a particular community (Rajput), verbal altercation took place. Police reached the spot to control the situation. In the melee, someone from the crowd threw stones at the police injuring a constable. We have registered an FIR against both the sides and investigating the matter through video footage. However, the marriage happened peacefully,” said Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to The Hindu. 

People belonging to Dalit community alleged that attempts were made by some individuals from the dominant caste group to forcefully turn back the marriage procession and threatened not to pass through the community settlement, leading to the incident.

Local Dalits alleged of threats and demanded police to take action and provide security. In the past too, western and central U.P. districts have seen many such instances where Dalit marriage processions were obstructed by dominant social groups. In multiple occasions, police and administration have intervened to allow the procession pass peacefully.