Horrific Casteist Attack: Dalit Woman Abused and Dragged from Garba Event in Gujarat

A shocking incident of alleged caste-based discrimination has sent ripples of outrage across Gujarat, after a 25-year-old Dalit woman was reportedly abused and violently dragged by her hair from a Garba event in Lunawada town, Mahisagar district. The harrowing event, which transpired on a Monday night, highlights the persistent and ugly reality of social exclusion faced by marginalized communities even in public celebrations.

The victim, Sonal, a resident of Ambaliyara village, had gone to participate in the joyous Garba festivities when she was allegedly confronted and assaulted.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police, Sonal was subjected to a barrage of casteist slurs before being physically attacked. The complaint details that she was forcefully pulled by her hair, dragged, and beaten, causing her significant distress and physical injury.

The police have swiftly acted, registering a case against four individuals identified as Kanu Parmar, Haresh Parmar, Rekha Parmar, and another woman also named Rekha Parmar.

The accused have been booked under multiple stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506(2) (criminal intimidation). Crucially, the charges also include relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, underscoring the gravity of the caste-based nature of the alleged crime.

This incident is a grim reminder that while Garba is a festival of unity and joy, it has, at times, become a flashpoint for social tensions and discrimination.

Reports of individuals from lower castes or inter-faith couples being targeted at such events are not uncommon, revealing a darker undercurrent beneath the celebratory surface. The local authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the matter, promising to ensure justice for the victim.

The community and various social justice organizations are closely monitoring the developments, demanding swift action against the perpetrators and stronger measures to prevent such acts of violence and discrimination in the future.

This incident serves as a stark call to introspection for society, urging a collective commitment to eradicate all forms of prejudice and ensure truly inclusive public spaces for all citizens.