Seema and Prashant at their wedding in Alandi

Around 7.30 pm on Tuesday, when Seema Devidas Shinde stood contemplating the dark waters of the river Pavana over the railing of the M M Vidyamandir bridge near Kalewadi in Chinchwad, there seemed little else to do, except jump. A few minutes ago, her husband Prashant had categorically told her that their marriage was unacceptable to his parents as she belonged to a lower caste. She had already given her four-month-old baby to an adoption centre.

Happily, Seema’s depths of despair didn’t find the river’s rocky bottom, thanks to the timely intervention of an alert bystander. Her rescuer then took her to the Kalewadi police chowky, where yet another ugly episode of the silent battle of the castes was recorded in the station diary.

Sometime in 2009, Seema told police, she met Prashant Kadam at the private educational institute for young children where she was working as a teacher, and Prashant was posted as store keeper. They soon fell in love, and the intimacy developed into a physical relationship. She was seven months pregnant when their marriage took place in Alandi on November 7, 2010. Her baby, a girl, was born on December 26 that year in a Bhosari hospital. 

“When our baby was born, Prashant told me that he would take me home on the condition that I deposited the baby with an adoption centre. I trusted him and gave the baby to Nachiket Balgram in Akurdi. However, Prashant did not keep his promise. 

On Tuesday, I met him at the bridge and told that I will commit suicide. He was unfazed, and said his family would never accept me as their daughter-in-law. I could not bear to take his words, and decided to end my life. What could I do? I had given my baby to the adoption centre for my husband’s sake,” Seema told Pune Mirror after recording her statement with the police.

That evening on the bridge, Seema says she flatly told him to stop playing with her emotions and take her home. Prashant refused, she claimed, saying it was impossible as they belonged to different castes. She added that prior to this, Prashant had refused to take her home on several occasions, citing pressure from his parents. 

“Prashant said I was unwanted in his house since I am from the Mahar community. His parents assaulted and abused me and don’t want me to stay with them,” Seema told Mirror. In her written statement to Kalewadi police, Seema claimed she had gone to meet her in-laws twice, but was assaulted and driven out of the house by Prashant’s mother and sister.

Sachin Phulsundar

Seema Shinde’s statement being recorded in the presence of activists on Wednesday

After avoiding several calls, Prashant finally spoke to Mirror. “I did not place any such condition that the baby should be deposited at the adoption centre. The girl’s parents had demanded Rs 1 lakh for settling the dispute. They have complained against me to police because I did not give them money. I have not uttered casteist comments against her. Right now, I am not in a position to speak as I am hurt by the allegations levelled against me by her family and their supporters,” he said.

Seema was brought to the Kalewadi police chowky on Wednesday afternoon by local Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists. The activists demanded that Prashant be booked under the Atrocities Act and arrested. However, police inspector (Crime) Bhagwat Sonawane of Chinchwad PS said the police wanted to try for an amicable end to the dispute, as it was a family matter.

However, her baby is still hers, and she can take succour from that fact. “I can take my child back as officials have kept that option open,” Seema said, a barely perceptible smile on her lips.

?   I did not place any condition that the baby should be deposited at the adoption centre. The girl’s parents had demanded Rs 1 lakh for settling the dispute. I have not uttered casteist 
comments against her

- Prashant Kadam Husband

 ?   My husband Prashant said I was unwanted in his house as I am from the dalit community. His parents assaulted and abused me and don’t want me to stay with them