Patna: A shocking incident has come to light where a young couple in Bihar was publicly insulted and punished by Panchyath for falling in love and marrying each other.
The incident came to light after a video clipping was posted online. The incident took place in Bihar’s Supaul District, where Ranjeet Kumar, 22, and Julie Kumari, 19, both were punished publicly and forced to do sit-ups holding their ears by the Barhara Panchayath which falls under Marauna Police Station.
The couple was also made to publicly lick their own spit from the ground after being summoned by furious heads of the village panchayat.
#WATCH Man forced to do sit-ups, his wife forced to lick her spit in public in #Bihar's Supaul for getting married after eloping (01.03.18) pic.twitter.com/DRqGSL4PQ7
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018
The Panchayath declared their act as one “against Indian culture and very corrupting”, penalizing both an amount of Rs 11,000 each.
The couple had married each other on 16 February despite their families protests and registered their marriage on 26 February.
“We had left home together in order to get married because our families were dead against this marriage. When we returned as husband and wife, our families no longer resisted, but the village panchayat penalised us all,” said Ranjeet.
The Marauna Police Officer said the couple’s families are yet to lodge a complaint against the Panchayath.
Meanwhile, Supaul SP Mritynjay Kumar Chaudhary had told that he ordered a probe into the matter and asked the DSP to take legal action against the wrongdoers.
“Diktats such as those issued by the panchayat are not allowed in a civilized society. I have sought a report on the matter from the SP and asked him to get an FIR registered against all those involved in it,” said Bihar ADGP (headquarters) SK Singhal.
State parliamentary affairs minister Shravan Kumar said: “An adult person is free to choose who to marry. The law provides protection to married couples facing threats for their decision. If necessary, this couple will be given protection,” the New Indian Express reported.