Kathmandu, June 4. The wedding of twenty-two year old Alakh Ram is said to be historic for the people of Madhavganj village in Uttar Pradesh(UP) in India.

This is the first time that a Dalit man will be riding a horse for a wedding procession. Dalit grooms are not “allowed” to ride a horse for the wedding.

In an article in The Wire, Ram has received threats from upper class people that he should not be riding a horse for his wedding procession. Then he sought for police protection. A police official also said that as soon as their got his letter, they decided to provide him with security as it is his constitutional right.

The letter read,”In all these years since independence, no groom-to-be from the scheduled castes were ever allowed to sit on a horse during their baraat ceremony.”

Dalit people are “allowed” to play music, sing, dance and practice other Hindu customs without any interference, except the groom riding a horse.

Ram worked in a polythene factory in Delhi and is currently unemployed. He says that he was able to bring change as he is educated. He said that he is educated till Grade 12. He said, “I will never accept irrational, old traditions. Our country is run by Ambedkar’s constitution, which gives everyone equal rights. If upper caste grooms can ride horses during their weddings, why can’t we? I will not accept this. Ever.”

Although Ram says that the threats from the upper caste people still lingers on his wedding day, he wants to be treated as equals, therefore took the step of acquiring security from the police. The wedding is scheduled for June 18.