Bihar family performs teen's 'last rites' after she marries Dalit boyfriend
A family in Bihar, India, performed symbolic funeral rites for their 18-year-old daughter after she married a man from a different caste. The act serves as a social ostracization ritual following the woman's voluntary court marriage.
Why it matters
The incident underscores ongoing tensions regarding inter-caste marriage and traditional social norms in parts of India.
PATNA: In a shocking display of anger over an inter-caste marriage, a family in Purnia allegedly performed the symbolic funeral of their 18-year-old daughter after she eloped with her boyfriend and married him in court.The family prepared an effigy carrying her photograph, took out a funeral procession through the locality and performed symbolic last rites after the woman admitted in a local court that she had married the man of her choice.The incident took place at Chapay village in the Town police station area of Purnia on Tuesday.Riya, a Part-I college student allegedly eloped with 24-year-old Minal Kumar on September 8 and married him in a court.Her father, Manoj Kumar Goswami, had subsequently approached Maranga police and filed a missing complaint, fearing that his daughter had been abducted.According to villagers, Riya and Minal had been in a relationship for around three years.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in