Bihar Village Family Chooses Library Over Funeral Feast, Faces Social Backlash

Saharsa- In the solar market located in Khoksaha Bhagwanpur village in the Chandor Western Panchayat in Saharsa district of Bihar, a noteworthy story has emerged.Advocate Ajay Azad and his brothers, Vijay Bhagat and Dr. Shashi Jaiswal, have taken a bold stand against age-old traditions, sparking both admiration and social backlash.

The story begins with the passing of their father, a moment that typically triggers a cascade of rituals and a communal feast. However, Ajay and his brothers, breaking away from the norm, chose a different path. They resolved not to partake in any customary rituals or organize the customary feast. Instead, they envisioned a more enduring legacy—one that involves the establishment of a library in their village and the introduction of a computer.

This incident unfolds in the backdrop of the rituals on the 13th day of death ' Terahvi' , where the family traditionally organizes a feast and performs rituals for the peace of the departed soul. Ajay Azad, belonging to the Bahujan community, alleges that villagers pressured him to conform to these traditions, to which he responded by highlighting their campaign against such rituals and their intention to break free from what they perceive as burdensome customs.

Ajay's decision found support from his two brothers, Vijay Bhagat and Dr. Shashi Jaiswal. They cited the substantial expenses incurred during their father's illness as a reason not to further burden themselves with the financial strain of organizing a feast.

The villagers, however, protested against this departure from tradition, asserting that the family was disrupting the practices upheld by their ancestors. While the family maintains they did not succumb to pressure for a feast, the villagers claim they only sought adherence to rituals for the peace of the departed soul.

This clash between the family's desire for a departure from tradition and the villagers' insistence on adherence highlights the societal pressures surrounding death feasts. The funeral feast, a tradition observed widely in Rajasthan and other parts of India, involves offering food to Brahmins and organizing a feast for relatives and villagers. However, the practice has come under scrutiny for turning into a display of status, sometimes burdening families with debt.

The purpose of the event is to receive visitors at the deceased's house, symbolizing the return to normalcy after the mourning period. However, problems arose when societal pressure started accompanying this tradition, burdening families unable to organize the event with debt.

Nevertheless, it is not limited to Hindus; funeral feasts are also organized among Muslims, known as Chehallum, occurring 40 days after the deceased's death, where people are invited for a meal.

The clash of beliefs extends beyond the family level, as societal expectations collide with the evolving values of individuals like Ajay Azad and his brothers.

To address these issues, the Rajasthan Prevention of Mrityu Bhoj Act was enacted in 1960, prohibiting events like Nukta, Mausar, and Chehallum. This law declared both organizing and participating in funeral feasts illegal, with provisions for a penalty of ₹1000 and up to one year of punishment for violations. The purpose was to prevent families from facing financial burdens due to death feasts.

Story Translated by Geetha Sunil Pillai

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