Sat Jun 28 13:03:17 UTC 2025: **News Article: Dalit Wedding Celebrations Marred by Caste-Based Violence in Uttar Pradesh**
**Lucknow, India – June 28, 2025** – Despite legal protections and societal progress, Dalit families in Uttar Pradesh continue to face violence and discrimination during wedding celebrations. Recent incidents highlight the ongoing tension between Dalit and upper-caste communities in the state.
The Hindu reports that in May, the wedding procession of a Dalit groom in Mathura district was attacked by members of the Jat community, resulting in injuries and property damage. The groom, Akash, was pulled from his chariot, and wedding guests were assaulted due to the perceived audacity of a Dalit wedding procession.
Similar incidents have been reported across Uttar Pradesh. On June 21, a wedding procession in Etah district faced threats and stone-pelting in a Rajput-dominated area, requiring police intervention to ensure the ceremony could proceed.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 15,000 cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes were registered in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 alone, although specific data on wedding-related incidents is not available. Activists claim such incidents are happening every month.
Community leaders express concern that the attacks are deterring potential matches for Dalit families, as some families from other states are hesitant to send wedding parties to villages where violence is a risk.
While police have made arrests in some cases, activists argue that the government and political parties need to do more to support and protect Dalit communities. They highlight the lack of awareness about legal protections and the difficulties Dalit families face in seeking justice. They note that sometimes police do not include relevant legal protections when registering FIR’s.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the deep-seated caste prejudices that persist in Uttar Pradesh, even as the Dalit community asserts its rights and seeks to celebrate its culture and identity.
First Piper 