Dalit groom prays at Madhya Pradesh temple near Ambedkar's birthplace amid police presence after dispute between 2 groups

INDORE: A Dalit groom had to perform prayers at a Lord Ram temple near Dr B. R. Ambedkar's birthplace under police supervision, following a dispute between two groups in a village in Madhya Pradesh.
The event occurred on Monday, coinciding with the birth anniversary celebrations of the Constitution's principal architect and social reformer Ambedkar, who was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Indore district of Madhya Pradesh.
According to eyewitness accounts and social media footage, the groom arrived with his wedding procession and guests at the temple in Sanghvi village, situated 25 km from Mhow, and offered prayers alongside family members whilst police maintained presence.
Police officials dismissed allegations of the Dalit man being barred from temple entry, stating that the disagreement centred on access to the sanctum sanctorum, which local customs restrict to priests only.
Social media platforms displayed various recordings of the incident. One video showed the groom, accompanied by his marriage procession and baraatis, engaged in a discussion with individuals reportedly from a privileged caste outside the temple.
Following the controversy, police authorities released an official statement explaining the situation.
"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," statement said.
The statement indicated that upon receiving reports of the disagreement between wedding party members and the other group, police personnel arrived at the location and settled the matter by explaining the temple's sanctum sanctorum entry protocols to both parties.
The wedding procession continued to its intended destination after completing the temple prayers, according to the official statement.
Betma police station in-charge Meena Karnawat said, "In Sanghvi village, no one stopped the groom from a Scheduled Caste to enter the temple. The 'baraati' side was talking about entering the temple's sanctum sanctorum, where according to local traditions, only priests are allowed. No devotee goes inside the sanctum sanctorum of this temple.''
The groom was identified as a member of the Balai community.
Manoj Parmar, president of the All India Balai Mahasangh, said, "Due to the frustrated mentality of some people, our community still has to face caste discrimination in rural areas. The groom from the Dalit community was able to offer prayers at the temple under police protection after nearly two hours of argument."