National News

A woman marries two brothers, putting polyandry in the spotlight.

In Shillai village, Himachal Pradesh, Sunita Chauhan, married Pradeep and Kapil Negi in a three-day ceremony that followed the Jodidara ritual, which is customary among the Hatti tribal community.

Sentinel Digital Desk

What Is the Jodidara Tradition in Himachal Pradesh?
This tradition is part of the Hatti tribal culture, where brothers commonly share one female to prevent separating family land and keep the household intact.
Numerous villagers attended the wedding, which featured customary dancing, music, and ceremonies. According to the pair, their marriage was founded on consent and understanding. According to Sunita, she made the choice on her own initiative and without coercion.

 In certain regions of Himachal Pradesh, polyandry is permitted by tribal rules, despite the fact that it is uncommon throughout rest of India and is not recognized by Indian law. The Hatti community is one of the Scheduled Tribes whose customs are permitted by state courts and municipal laws.

The occasion was publicly commemorated through local customs, music, and folk dance. The marriage was embraced by the villagers, who referred to it as a proud aspect of their tradition. Fraternal polyandry is the term for this type of marriage in which a woman marries brothers. It used to be widespread in Himachal Pradesh's hilly areas, particularly in Sirmaur, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.

This custom was primarily established to maintain household unity and prevent the division of family land.
According to state revenue rules and court decisions, the Hatti group, which was recently granted Scheduled Tribe status, is permitted to continue their own family customs, such as Jodidara.
On social media, the wedding has gone viral, with many users expressing astonishment and interest. Many people applauded the couple for proudly and honestly upholding their traditions, even though some were astonished.