KANPUR: A dalit man from Mahoba, who had recently expressed the desire to ride a horse during his marriage procession against local tradition and was assured police protection, will have to wait as the woman he was going to marry has come out to be a minor girl.
Messages circulating on social media have claimed that the bride-to-be is 17 years one months old as per her Aadhaar card.
To recall, Alakhram Ahirwar, a native of Madhavganj in Mahobkanth area of Mahoba district, whose marriage was to be solemnised on June 18, had last week approached the local police seeking protection for riding a horse while going for a pre-marriage ritual on his wedding day.
Locals had stated it will be probably for the first time since Independence when a dalit man would be riding a horse in the village.
As soon as the message regarding the age of the bride-to-be went viral on social media wherein users claimed that on the basis of Aadhaar card, the girl is a minor, police ordered a probe.
“We have initiated a probe after coming across viral messages on social media, wherein users have alleged that the girl with whom Ahirwar’s marriage is to be solemnised is a minor,” additional superintendent of police Mahoba RK Gautam told TOI on Thursday.
He added, “CO Kulpahar has been instructed to conduct the probe and submit a report in this regard soon.
If the girl would be found underage, Ahirwar’s application would be rejected.” Ahirwar, meanwhile, told the reporters that he was not aware of the exact age of his bride-to-be.
“I came to know about the matter through viral messages on social media.
I am a law abiding citizen and will cooperate fully with the police for a probe regarding her age,” he added.
Alakhram Ahirwar, son of Gayadeen Ahirwar, had given an application to Mahobkanth police urging them to give him security for a pre-marriage ritual wherein he would ride a horse and visit a local temple prior to his ‘baraat’.
Station house officer Mahobkanth Sunil Tiwari had told reporters that Alakhram Ahirwar had given in writing that he wanted police protection as he desired to ride a horse for a pre-marriage ritual at his wedding.
The local panchayat too had stated that Ahirwar was given permission to ride a horse on his wedding day.
Ahirwar had also sought support from various social organisations on social media platforms to help him in fulfilling his dream of riding a horse on his wedding day.