A groom’s traditional wedding procession in Gujarat’s Patan district descended into violence after he was allegedly dragged off a ceremonial mare and assaulted, over caste tensions between two communities that are both classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
A groom’s traditional wedding procession in Gujarat’s Patan district descended into violence after he was allegedly dragged off a ceremonial mare and assaulted, over caste tensions between two communities that are both classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs). According to police, 21-year-old Kaushik Patni, who belongs to the Patni (Devipujak) community, was allegedly attacked by members of the Thakor community during his wedding celebrations in Hajipur village.
The incident unfolded after Kaushik completed a pre-wedding procession in Patan city and returned to his native village for another procession, a long-standing community tradition, the FIR stated.
Family members alleged that the procession passed through the Thakor locality after the groom briefly dismounted near a temple in keeping with local customs. Once the procession reached the Patni locality, Kaushik mounted the mare again to continue the celebrations.
Police said the violence erupted around 9:30 pm when Ramuji Thakor allegedly entered the procession, pulled the groom off the mare by his suit, and tore his clothes.
The FIR further alleges that Sanjayji Thakor and Mehulji Thakor assaulted the groom’s uncle, Prakash Patni. When family members, including Nita Patni and the groom’s mother, Kamu Patni, intervened, they too were allegedly attacked.
According to the complaint, Rahulji Thakor and Kaushikji Thakor later joined the assault, allegedly hurled caste-based slurs at members of the Patni community, and objected to the wedding procession passing through the locality. The accused also allegedly warned the family of serious consequences if anyone from the community rode a mare during future wedding processions.
Amid the chaos, the groom also reported that his gold chain went missing.
Patan police have registered a case under relevant provisions related to assault, criminal intimidation, rioting, and the use of caste-based slurs. An investigation into the incident is underway.
“The Patan incident involves two OBC communities, illustrating, how caste- or community-based assertions of social status are not confined to the traditional upper caste-Dalit divide. These informal social hierarchies often persist despite constitutional equality,” said human rights activist Kaushik Parmar.