Groom kidnapping
Encyclopedia
Groom kidnapping, colloquially known as Pakaruah shaadi or Jabaria shaadi, is a phenomenon common in parts of Bihar
, and eastern Uttar Pradesh
states in India, wherein eligible bachelors are abducted by the bride
's family and later forcefully married, to avoid heavy dowry
costs. Considering the traditional regard for the marriage sacrament
, most such marriages are not annulled. Additionally, the groom may suffer criminal charges under Indian dowry law
, and end up fighting lengthy legal battles.
The practice started becoming noticeable towards the late 20th century, as dowry costs became prohibitive and organized gangs came forward to carry out the abductions. In 2009, 1224 kidnappings for marriage were reported in Bihar, carried out on behalf of the families of the brides.
custom, first came to light in the 1980s. It has since gained social sanction amongst the upper castes like the Bhumihar Brahmins, particularly in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where dowry demands are high. Demanding a dowry has been illegal in India for nearly 50 years, since the passage of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. In the practice, potential bridegrooms, usually from well-off families are targeted. Young men who have either cleared their IAS exams, have a medical or engineering degree or have secured a government job, are targeted by families who can’t afford big dowries. These 'grooms' are abducted, held captive and often beaten into submission before later being forcibly married, often at gun-point with a rope tied around their waist so that they can't run away. Subsequently, if the groom tries to extricate himself from the marriage, he faces lengthy legal battles and even criminal charges under Indian Dowry law, which is presently geared towards protecting the rights of women in the marriage, as in most cases the bride's family is financially strong and politically connected. Over the years, organized criminals have become part of the practice, as they carry out abductions for a fee and also guarantee post-marriage "compliance" by the groom for an extra fee. Thus many such marriages go unreported and often continue under fear of violence from local criminals.
As early as 1993, the magazine India Today
reported such kidnappings by "social groups," one of which had formed in 1982 in Bihar, to kidnap grooms who demanded heavy dowries and forcibly marry them. In some cases, if the groom asks for too large a dowry or backs out of a marriage owing to dowry issues, the girl's family resorts to such measures, having the groom abducted via criminal gangs.
, won the 2007 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
, and was released in 2010. Groom kidnapping was also the subject of the TV series, Sab Ki Jodi Wohi Banata Bhagyavidhataa (2009) on Colours TV.
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, and eastern Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
states in India, wherein eligible bachelors are abducted by the bride
Bride
A bride is a woman about to be married or newlywed.The word may come from the Proto-Germanic verb root *brū-, meaning 'to cook, brew, or make a broth' which was the role of the daughter-in-law in primitive families...
's family and later forcefully married, to avoid heavy dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
costs. Considering the traditional regard for the marriage sacrament
Indian wedding
South Asian weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration, that continue for several days. They are generally not small affairs, with anywhere between 100 to 10,000 people attending. Often, it is possible that many of the attendees are unknown to the bride and groom themselves...
, most such marriages are not annulled. Additionally, the groom may suffer criminal charges under Indian dowry law
Dowry law in India
Payment of a dowry, gift—often financial, has a long history in many parts of the world. In India, the payment of a dowry was prohibited in 1961 under Indian civil law and subsequently by Sections 304B and 498a of the Indian Penal Code were enacted to make it easier for the wife to seek...
, and end up fighting lengthy legal battles.
The practice started becoming noticeable towards the late 20th century, as dowry costs became prohibitive and organized gangs came forward to carry out the abductions. In 2009, 1224 kidnappings for marriage were reported in Bihar, carried out on behalf of the families of the brides.
Overview
The practice, which is a fallout of the dowryDowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
custom, first came to light in the 1980s. It has since gained social sanction amongst the upper castes like the Bhumihar Brahmins, particularly in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where dowry demands are high. Demanding a dowry has been illegal in India for nearly 50 years, since the passage of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. In the practice, potential bridegrooms, usually from well-off families are targeted. Young men who have either cleared their IAS exams, have a medical or engineering degree or have secured a government job, are targeted by families who can’t afford big dowries. These 'grooms' are abducted, held captive and often beaten into submission before later being forcibly married, often at gun-point with a rope tied around their waist so that they can't run away. Subsequently, if the groom tries to extricate himself from the marriage, he faces lengthy legal battles and even criminal charges under Indian Dowry law, which is presently geared towards protecting the rights of women in the marriage, as in most cases the bride's family is financially strong and politically connected. Over the years, organized criminals have become part of the practice, as they carry out abductions for a fee and also guarantee post-marriage "compliance" by the groom for an extra fee. Thus many such marriages go unreported and often continue under fear of violence from local criminals.
As early as 1993, the magazine India Today
India Today
India Today is an Indian weekly news magazine published by Living Media India Limited, in publication since 1975 based in Mumbai. India Today is also the name of its sister-publication in Hindi...
reported such kidnappings by "social groups," one of which had formed in 1982 in Bihar, to kidnap grooms who demanded heavy dowries and forcibly marry them. In some cases, if the groom asks for too large a dowry or backs out of a marriage owing to dowry issues, the girl's family resorts to such measures, having the groom abducted via criminal gangs.
In popular culture
Inspired by the real-life experience of a close friend, director Sushil Rajpal has made a film on the issue. AntardwandAntardwand
Antardwand is a 2010 Indian film co-written, produced and directed by Sushil Rajpal. The film stars Raj Singh Chaudhary and Swati Sen in the leading roles while Vinay Pathak and Akhilendra Mishra play supporting roles. Made on a budget of , the film is based on the practice of groom kidnapping...
, won the 2007 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues
National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
The National Film Award - Best Film on Other Social Issues winners:...
, and was released in 2010. Groom kidnapping was also the subject of the TV series, Sab Ki Jodi Wohi Banata Bhagyavidhataa (2009) on Colours TV.
External links
- ‘1,300 cases of groom kidnapping were registered last year’ at Hindustan TimesHindustan TimesHindustan Times is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded in 1924 with roots in the Indian independence movement of the period ....