A family from Khatura Uttarpara in Krishnaganj, West Bengal, held symbolic “last rites” for their daughter after she married a Muslim man against their wishes.
The 19-year-old woman, a first-year student at Krishnaganj Sudhir Ranjan Lahiri College, had chosen her partner without her family’s consent. According to relatives, she had left home earlier to be with the man, but the family had brought her back. After she married him a second time, the family cut all ties.
Twelve days after the wedding, the family conducted a shraddh—a Hindu ritual usually performed after death—burning her clothes, books, and documents. Male relatives shaved their heads, and neighbours and relatives were invited for a ritual meal to mark the symbolic death.
“She left us with no choice. She dishonoured the family,” said the woman’s uncle. “We had brought her back once, but she did the same again. We consider her dead now.”
The woman’s father, who works in Israel, reportedly approved the decision. Her mother said the act was their way of protesting what they saw as humiliation.
No police complaint has been filed. Locals say the woman is currently safe and living with her husband and in-laws.
