Nadia family holds ‘shraddh’ as woman marries outside religion
Times of India | 23 June 2025
Krishnaganj (Nadia): A Nadia family on Saturday conducted their daughter's "last rites", declaring her "dead" after she married a Muslim man. They held a symbolic Hindu "shraddh" and invited neighbours and relatives for a meal to mark the occasion.The family, from Khatura Uttarpara area of Krishnaganj, had chosen a groom for their daughter and discussions had begun about the wedding. The woman, who is in her first year at Krishnaganj Sudhir Ranjan Lahiri College, married the person of her choice without her family's permission.She had left home with him once earlier, but the family had brought her back.The woman's father, who works in Israel, was very upset when he heard about her decision. With his approval, the family burned all her belongings, including her clothes, books and documents. Twelve days after her wedding, they held the shraddh, which included rituals, head-shaving by male relatives, and serving guests food.Her uncle said: "She left us with no choice. She dishonoured the family. So, abiding by our tradition, we consider her dead." He said the family could not forgive that despite them having brought her back once, she ran away again.The woman's mother agreed, saying: "She has humiliated us. This is our way of registering our protest."The local community was left shocked by the act. No police report was filed, and the woman is said to be living safely with her husband and in-laws.