Family performs daughter’s 'shradhh' for marrying against their wishes

In a shocking incident in the Sonapur Gram Panchayat area of Chopra, North Dinajpur, a family performed the funeral rites of their daughter after she married against their wishes. The ritual was carried out in full accordance with Hindu customs, marking the family's decision to sever all ties with her.

According to family members, the daughter’s decision to marry outside their community deeply hurt them, as they believed it tarnished their social status and brought dishonor to the family. As a result, they took the extreme step of organizing a symbolic shraddha (funeral) ceremony to declare that she was "dead" to them.

The ritual, held in the presence of relatives and villagers, followed traditional Hindu funeral customs. A priest recited mantras for the peace of her soul, and food was offered as part of the rites. Family members stated that the ceremony was a way of expressing their grief and finalizing their disconnection from her.

Residents who witnessed the ceremony claimed it was meant to send a strong message to deter others from defying social norms in the village. Some supported the family’s decision, citing cultural traditions, while others criticized the act as extreme and regressive.