NHRC Seeks Report From Odisha Govt Over Social Boycott Of Tribal Woman’s Family
Key Points
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognisance of the reported social boycott of a Scheduled Tribe woman’s family by the villagers after her marriage with a man from the Scheduled Caste in Rayagada district, Odisha.
Rayagada, June 25: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing incident in Odisha’s Rayagada district, where a tribal woman’s family was allegedly subjected to a social boycott after she married a man from a Scheduled Caste.
According to reports, villagers demanded a “purification ritual” for the family to be accepted back into the community. The family was reportedly threatened with indefinite ostracism if they refused.
📱 Get Argus News App
✨Succumbing to the pressure, 40 members of the woman’s extended family were forced to undergo tonsure as part of the ritual.
The NHRC has termed the incident a potential violation of human rights and has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Odisha, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
The incident, which took place in Baiganaguda village under Kashipur block, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about caste-based discrimination and coercive social practices in tribal regions.