Indore: A Dalit groom from the Balai community offered prayers at a Lord Ram temple near Mhow — the birthplace of Dr B.R. Ambedkar — under police presence on Monday, following a dispute between two groups over access to the temple premises. The incident occurred on Ambedkar Jayanti, a day of profound significance for the Dalit community.
The groom arrived with his wedding procession at the temple in Sanghvi village, approximately 25 km from Mhow in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district. Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media suggest that the groom and his family initially faced resistance while attempting to enter the temple to offer prayers. A heated argument reportedly broke out between the wedding party and some members of a privileged caste, who objected to the groom’s presence near the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.
Videos show the groom and his guests standing outside the temple, engaged in a verbal confrontation with the opposing group. Amid the escalating tension, police were called to the spot and facilitated the groom’s entry into the temple, where he offered prayers along with a few family members.
Police later clarified the situation, denying claims that the groom had been barred from entering the temple. In an official statement, authorities stated, “A rumour that a Dalit groom was prevented from entering the temple in Sanghvi village in the Betma police station area is being circulated on social media, which is misleading. The groom and his family went to the temple and prayed. After this, the wedding procession was taken out peacefully.”
Betma police station in-charge Meena Karnawat further explained that the conflict was related to access to the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, traditionally reserved for priests under local customs. “No devotee goes inside the sanctum sanctorum of this temple,” she said.
However, community leaders have expressed concern over the episode. Manoj Parmar, president of the All India Balai Mahasangh, remarked, “Due to the frustrated mentality of some people, our community still has to face caste discrimination in rural areas. The groom was able to offer prayers at the temple under police protection after nearly two hours of argument.”
The incident has reignited discussions on caste-based discrimination and access to religious spaces in rural India.
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