NHRC issues notice to Odisha government over social boycott of tribal woman
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) issued a notice to the Odisha Government regarding the reported social boycott of a woman from a Scheduled Tribe community after her marriage to a man belonging to a Scheduled Caste.
The incident, which took place in Rayagada district, allegedly involved pressure from local villagers demanding that the woman's family undergo a 'purification' ritual in order to be accepted back into the community. Reports suggest that the family was threatened with an indefinite boycott if they refused to comply.
According to the complaint, the woman's family ultimately acquiesced to the villagers' demand. As part of the ritual, the heads of 40 family members were reportedly tonsured.
'The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks,' the NHRC said in an official communication.
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