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Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Indian brothers marry same woman in ancient custom
A pair of brothers in rural India have married the same woman, upholding an ancient custom and sparking criticism from a women's rights group after photos of the wedding went viral. Polyandry is banned in India but is legal in some of the tribal pockets, including Himalayan territories, allowing preservation of some ancient traditions. The grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, married Sunita Chauhan in a three-day wedding witnessed by hundreds of villagers and relatives on July 12 in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. During the ceremony, the trio from the Hatti tribe circled a fire considered sacred as villagers sang folksongs. "We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision," Pradeep said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. His brother Kapil added: "We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family." One of the brothers is a government employee and the other works overseas. Under the custom, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule and the family raises the children together. The eldest brother is named the legal father. The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), a women's rights group, condemned the wedding. "Such acts of women's exploitation... go against the fundamental rights of a woman," AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale told local media. Around 300,000 members of the Hatti tribe live in small villages in the remote Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan defended the practice, saying polyandry has long been a tradition of the Sirmaur people. "We have a customary law to protect polyandry," he told reporters, after photos of the marriage went viral on social media. Kundal Lal Shashtri, a local Hatti leader, justified the custom by citing the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which the character Draupadi married five brothers. Agence France-Presse
CTV News
23-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
India brothers marry same woman in ancient custom
The Himalayan mountain ranges are seen from Shimla, the capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Anil Dayal) Shimla, India -- A pair of brothers in rural India have married the same woman, upholding an ancient custom and sparking criticism from a women's rights group after photos of the wedding went viral. Polyandry is banned in India but is legal in some of the tribal pockets, including Himalayan territories, allowing preservation of some ancient traditions. The grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, married Sunita Chauhan in a three-day wedding witnessed by hundreds of villagers and relatives on July 12 in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. During the ceremony, the trio from the Hatti tribe circled a fire considered sacred as villagers sang folksongs. 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision,' Pradeep said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. His brother Kapil added: 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family.' One of the brothers is a government employee and the other works overseas. Under the custom, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule and the family raises the children together. The eldest brother is named the legal father. The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), a women's rights group, condemned the wedding. 'Such acts of women's exploitation... go against the fundamental rights of a woman,' AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale told local media. Around 300,000 members of the Hatti tribe live in small villages in the remote Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan defended the practice, saying polyandry has long been a tradition of the Sirmaur people. 'We have a customary law to protect polyandry,' he told reporters, after photos of the marriage went viral on social media. Kundal Lal Shashtri, a local Hatti leader, justified the custom by citing the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which the character Draupadi married five brothers.
The Star
23-07-2025
- General
- The Star
India brothers marry same woman in ancient custom defying legal ban, and sparking criticism
SHIMLA, (India): A pair of brothers in rural India have married the same woman, upholding an ancient custom and sparking criticism from a women's rights group after photos of the wedding went viral. Polyandry is banned in India but is legal in some of the tribal pockets, including Himalayan territories, allowing preservation of some ancient traditions. The grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, married Sunita Chauhan in a three-day wedding witnessed by hundreds of villagers and relatives on July 12 in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. During the ceremony, the trio from the Hatti tribe circled a fire considered sacred as villagers sang folksongs. "We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision," Pradeep said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. His brother Kapil added: "We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family." One of the brothers is a government employee and the other works overseas. The bride, Sunita, mentioned that it was her decision, albeit a mutual one, to marry Pradeep and Kapil. She shared that she was not at all pressured, and actually, she has faith in the bond they formed. Sunita could be quoted as saying: 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I know this tradition, and I chose it willingly. We've made this commitment together, and I believe in the bond we've formed.' Under the custom, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule and the family raises the children together. The eldest brother is named the legal father. - Illustrative photo The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), a women's rights group, condemned the wedding. "Such acts of women's exploitation... go against the fundamental rights of a woman," AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale told local media. Around 300,000 members of the Hatti tribe live in small villages in the remote Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan defended the practice, saying polyandry has long been a tradition of the Sirmaur people. "We have a customary law to protect polyandry," he told reporters, after photos of the marriage went viral on social media. A local Hatti leader justified the custom by citing the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which the character Draupadi married five brothers. According to Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Kendriya Hatti Samiti, the polyandry system helped prevent the division of ancestral land among multiple heirs. 'This tradition was invented thousands of years ago to save a family's agricultural land from further division,' PTI quoted him as saying. Shastri explained that beyond preserving land, polyandry fosters unity among brothers and preserves the joint family system, which is vital in remote hilly terrains. 'If you have a bigger family, more men, you are more secure in a tribal society,' he said, adding that the tradition helps manage scattered agricultural lands requiring long-term collective care. He also noted that Jajda encourages brotherhood and mutual understanding, especially when brothers from different mothers marry the same woman. Economic needs and the demands of farming in far-flung areas have translated into this socio-cultural practice. How is the wedding performed? The wedding, called Jajda, begins with the bride's procession to the groom's village. A ritual named Seenj is performed at the groom's residence, where a priest chants mantras in the local dialect and sprinkles holy water. The ceremony ends with the couple being offered jaggery and blessings from the Kul Devta (family deity), symbolising a sweet and harmonious life ahead. Despite its historical and cultural significance, polyandry is declining due to rising literacy, changing socio-economic conditions, and evolving gender roles. Many communities now solemnise such marriages discreetly. - Illustrative photo Is it legal? The custom is recognised under Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws. The Hattis are governed by the Hindu Marriage Act and for official purposes. However, there are provisions in Indian laws to protect the customs and traditions of other tribal communities. In an interview with last year, Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of Hatti Central Committee, said 'Jodidaran' will die a slow death as more villagers become educated and shift to cities for jobs. Reacting to the recent polyandry in Sirmaur district, Ransingh Chauhan, a lawyer, said the practice has been prevalent in the region for decades and stressed it was legally recognised by the Himachal Pradesh High Court under the 'Jodidar Law'. "Hundreds of marriages happen through polyandry and other age-old traditions. Media highlighted the marriage in Shillai prominently and they should not be astonished as this is a regular phenomenon. The practice is being done to ensure that families stay united and lands are not divided among themselves," Chauhan, a legal advisor for the Central Hatti Committee, told India Today's TV sister channel, Aaj Tak. Who are the Hattis? Hatti, a close-knit community located on the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, was officially recognised as a Scheduled Tribe three years ago. Polyandry was a longstanding custom within this tribe for centuries. However, due to increasing literacy among women and the economic development of communities in the region, reports of polyandrous marriages have become rare. Village elders noted that such marriages still occur, but they are conducted discreetly and socially accepted, although these instances are fewer in number. Experts explain that a primary reason behind this tradition was to prevent the division of ancestral land. Despite this, the issue of tribal women's share in ancestral property remains a significant concern. The Hatti community consists of nearly 300,000 people residing across approximately 450 villages in the Trans Giri area of Sirmaur district. Polyandry continues to be practiced in some of these villages. The tradition was also common in Jaunsar Babar, a tribal region in Uttarakhand, as well as in Kinnaur, a tribal district in Himachal Pradesh. - AFP, Agencies
Al Arabiya
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
Two Indian brothers marry same woman
A pair of brothers in rural India have married the same woman, upholding an ancient custom and sparking criticism from a women's rights group after photos of the wedding went viral. Polyandry is banned in India but is legal in some of the tribal pockets, including Himalayan territories, allowing preservation of some ancient traditions. The grooms, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, married Sunita Chauhan in a three-day wedding witnessed by hundreds of villagers and relatives on July 12 in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. During the ceremony, the trio from the Hatti tribe circled a fire considered sacred as villagers sang folksongs. 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision,' Pradeep said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. His brother Kapil added: 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family.' One of the brothers is a government employee and the other works overseas. Under the custom, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule and the family raises the children together. The eldest brother is named the legal father. The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), a women's rights group, condemned the wedding. 'Such acts of women's exploitation... go against the fundamental rights of a woman,' AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale told local media. Around 300,000 members of the Hatti tribe live in small villages in the remote Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan defended the practice, saying polyandry has long been a tradition of the Sirmaur people. 'We have a customary law to protect polyandry,' he told reporters, after photos of the marriage went viral on social media. Kundal Lal Shashtri, a local Hatti leader, justified the custom by citing the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which the character Draupadi married five brothers.
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Straits Times
India brothers marry same woman in ancient custom
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Shimla, India - A pair of brothers in rural India have married the same woman, upholding an ancient custom and sparking criticism from a women's rights group after photos of the wedding went viral. Polyandry is banned in India but is legal in some of the tribal pockets, including Himalayan territories, allowing preservation of some ancient traditions. The grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi married Ms Sunita Chauhan in a three-day wedding witnessed by hundreds of villagers and relatives on July 12 in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. During the ceremony, the trio from the Hatti tribe circled a fire considered sacred as villagers sang folksongs. 'We followed the tradition publicly as we are proud of it and it was a joint decision,' Pradeep said, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. His brother Kapil added: 'We're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family.' One of the brothers is a government employee and the other works overseas. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him Singapore Money, housing and isolation the biggest struggles for youth leaving children's homes: Study Singapore Sota's parents portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Under the custom, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule and the family raises the children together. The eldest brother is named the legal father. The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), a women's rights group, condemned the wedding. 'Such acts of women's exploitation... go against the fundamental rights of a woman,' AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale told local media. Around 300,000 members of the Hatti tribe live in small villages in the remote Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan defended the practice, saying polyandry has long been a tradition of the Sirmaur people. 'We have a customary law to protect polyandry,' he told reporters, after photos of the marriage went viral on social media. Mr Kundal Lal Shashtri, a local Hatti leader, justified the custom by citing the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, in which the character Draupadi married five brothers.
