Second in a Week: Fury Over Inter-Caste Marriage, Family Conducts Funeral Rites for Living Daughter

Udaipur- In a shocking incident from Udaipur city, a father took extreme measures to express his disapproval of his daughter's inter-caste marriage, resorting to publishing a Shok Patrika (condolence message) and performing funeral rites/Pind-daan for his living daughter.

This marks the second such incident in the region within a week, highlighting deep-rooted societal challenges surrounding personal choices and traditional values.

The recent case unfolded in Sector-4, Paneriyon ki Madri of Udaipur city, where tensions arose within a Brahmin family following their daughter's marriage to her lover from a different caste in a temple. Despite the family's apprehensions, Nisha (pseudo name) proceeded with her decision, defying familial expectations.

Nisha's marriage had been anticipated to be a grand affair, with the family eagerly awaiting the celebrations. However, on May 20, she defied familial expectations by exchanging vows with her lover in a temple.

Furthermore, exacerbating the situation, Nisha also filed a complaint at the Hiranmagri police station alleging that she faces life-threatening danger from her family.

Nisha's actions infuriated her father to such an extent that he decided to sever all ties with her.

He also prefixed "Kuputri" to her name in the condolence notice, thereby speaking volumes about the depth of their discord. The condolence note announced Nisha's demise and a funeral feast was given in her honor. The male members of the family even tonsured their head as a mark of mourning.

Tragically, the narrative echoes a similar incident that occurred just days prior in Suawaton ka Guda village of Gogunda.

There, Namisha (pseudo name) another girl eloped with her lover Deepak, prompting distress within her family. Refusing to recognize her parents upon being recovered by the police, the girl faced a similar fate as her family publishing a condolence message and hosting a funeral feast, all while she remained alive.

In June 2023, in a similar case, at Ratanpura village in Bhilwara, a family took extreme step to express their anguish over their daughter's decision to elope with an unsanctioned partner. Treating their daughter as though she had passed away, the family distributed a mourning announcement, "shok patrika," featuring her photograph. They invited the community to observe a mourning feast, known as "gaurani" or "mrityu bhoj," on the 13th day in accordance with Hindu customs.

The incident garnered widespread attention after the shok patrika went viral on social media platforms, eliciting a range of reactions.

Parental Disownment After Marriage: A Misguided Approach with Far-reaching Consequences

According to experts, although the matter at hand is of a familial nature and the parents' actions stem from a place of sentimentality, it is not a justifiable course of action and may leave the daughters in a vulnerable position.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, Dr. Shailendra Pandya, a former member of the Rajasthan State Commission for the Protection of Children Rights, said " The decision of parents to sever ties with their daughters following their marriages send a troubling message to society, potentially leaving them vulnerable to various risks. In the event of mistreatment or domestic violence at their in-laws' residence, the girls would lack familial support and recourse, potentially leading to exploitation by traffickers if left homeless and helpless. Moreover, it's important to note that such actions by the parents do not extinguish the daughter's rights to inheritance in ancestral property."

Dr. Pandya emphasizes the urgent need for counseling for both the parents and the daughters. Parents must understand that their daughter, as an adult, has the autonomy to make her own decisions and be informed about the legal ramifications of declaring her dead.

Simultaneously, the daughter requires guidance on the potential consequences of eloping without familial consent, as well as awareness of her legal rights and available support systems in the face of adversity.

Dr. Pandya stresses the importance of approaching such delicate matters with sensitivity and empathy, prioritizing the well-being of all parties involved.