Unorthodox Ritual in Gujarat: Father Conducts Last Rites for Living Daughter Post Love Marriage

In a startling incident from Dahod, Gujarat, a father responded to his daughter's love marriage with an extreme symbolic act of disconnect—conducting her last rites despite her being very much alive. The family hails from the Garbada village, where rigid caste norms significantly shape social dynamics.

A month ago, a Brahmin girl disappeared from her home, leaving her family and fellow villagers in a state of worry. Unbeknownst to her parents, the young woman had eloped with a man from a different caste. After an extensive search, the family registered a missing person's complaint with the local police.

The police investigation led to the startling revelation that the girl hadn't gone missing but had willingly married a man of another caste. Faced with the unanticipated reality, the father pleaded with his daughter to return home. However, the young woman stood firm on her decision to stay with her husband.

Because she was of legal age and had married of her own volition, the police couldn't intervene in the situation. The revelation shocked the parents, who had no choice but to accept their daughter's decision.

However, the father's acceptance took a drastic turn upon returning to the village. He severed all ties with his daughter, going to the length of conducting her last rites, essentially declaring her dead to him and his family.

The incident eerily mirrors a similar situation from Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh, where another father, having disowned his daughter for marrying her lover, performed her last rites while she was still alive. He made a symbolic declaration of her death by shaving his head, a customary act in Hindu last rites.

Such incidents shine a light on the deep-seated caste prejudices still prevalent in many parts of India and the severe personal and societal conflicts they generate.