Groom kidnapping

Groom kidnapping, colloquially known as Pakaruah shaadi or Jabaria shaadi, is a phenomenon common in the western 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.^[1][2] In 2009,1224 kidnappings for marriage were reported in Bihar, carried out on behalf of the families of the brides.^[3]

Overview

The practice, which is a fallout of the dowry custom, first came to light in the 1980s. It has since gained social sanction amongst the upper castes like the Bhumihar Brahmins,^[4] particularly in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where dowry demands are high. Demanding a dowry has been illegal in India for over 50 years, since the passage of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961.^[5] 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 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.^[6][7]

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.^[8] 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.^[3]

In popular culture

Inspired by the real-life experience of a close friend, director Sushil Rajpal has made a film on the issue. Antardwand, won the 2007 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, and was released in 2010.^[9][10] Groom kidnapping was also the subject of the TV series, Sab Ki Jodi Wohi Banata Bhagyavidhataa (2009) on Colours TV.^[5][11]

References

1. Das, Arvind N. (1992). The Republic of Bihar. Penguin Books. p. 70. ISBN 0-14-012351-2.
2. Abraham, M. Francis (1998). The agony of India: reflections of an angry Indian. EastWest Books. p. 215. ISBN 81-86852-15-8.
3. "Bachelor snatchers after suitable boys". The Australian. January 13, 2010.
4. Das, Arvind N. (1992). The state of Bihar: an economic history without footnotes. VU University Press. p. 34. ISBN 90-5383-135-5.
5. "Want to get married? Kidnap a groom!". The Times of India. Apr 27, 2009.
6. "Why bachelors of Bihar are terrified". Sydney Morning Herald. October 4, 2003.
7. "Men Kidnapped and Forced Into Marriage". AlterNet. September 21, 2009.
8. India Today, Volume 18, Issues 13-17, 1993.Page 13.
9. "Bagging the groom!". The Hindu. Aug 31, 2010.
10. "Groom abduction, now on screen". The Telegraph. August 27, 2010.
11. "Vishal’s abducted!". The Times of India. May 11, 2009.

External links

• ‘1,300 cases of groom kidnapping were registered last year’ at Hindustan Times