Though, the marriage of a girl with two brothers in remote Shillai village of Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, is being highlighted in the section of a media and social networking sites, depicting the age old tradition of polyandry prevalent among Hatti community of trans-Giri area, but women organization All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) has strongly condemned the marriage.
Two brothers Pradeep and Kapil Negi belonging to Shillai village solemnized a marriage with Sunita Chauhan of Kunhat village, a few days ago, with mutual consent as a community tradition and also made the pictures of the marriage public on social media.
The brothers said, “Marrying a girl by two brothers is a tradition in our (Hatti) community and the marriage was solemnized with the mutual consent and blessings of the community.”
The practice of polyandry—locally known as Jodidaran or Draupadi Pratha—has long been a custom within the Hatti community but in the present case the marriage was celebrated openly.
The polygamy- tradition of marriage of two or more brothers with a single girl has been an acceptable form of marriage in several parts of Sirmaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh.
In Himachal the tradition is linked with gender gap in a few areas and desire to check division of family property due to very small land holdings.
First Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Dr YS Pramar had written a book long ago titled ‘Polygamy and Polyandry in Himalayan Region’ based on his research for the PhD thesis.
However, with changing times the tradition is changing as the educated generation is shunning this form of wedding.
All India General Secretary of AIDWA, Mariam Dhawale said, “Our organization strongly condemns such acts of women exploitation; which go against fundamental rights of a woman.”
Former state secretary of CPM Dr Onkar Shad said, “We definitely oppose polyandry and polygamy; even our constitution and law does not permit such a marriage.”
