Family’s Viral Reaction to Daughter’s Inter-Caste Marriage

In Purnia, Bihar, a family reportedly performed symbolic last rites for their 18-year-old daughter after she married a Dalit man against their wishes. The woman, identified as Riya, allegedly eloped with 24-year-old Minal Kumar on September 8 and later married him in court. Police subsequently traced her to Delhi, where she told the court that she had married Minal voluntarily.

Upset over her decision, the family reportedly prepared an effigy carrying her photograph, took it through the village in a funeral procession and performed a symbolic cremation. The family has also said that it plans to conduct traditional rituals, including shraddha and pind-daan, in connection with the symbolic last rites.