MP Man Accidentally Runs Over A Calf, Asked To Marry Off 13-YO Daughter As Punishment

In a fair and just society, anyone who commits a crime is punished so that the criminal can make amends and others are deterred from wrongdoing. However, a case from the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh has thrown light on the fact that some villages in India are still assigning punishments based on superstitious beliefs rather than the law.

According to The Indian Express, a man residing in Kolhua village accidentally hit a calf while riding his two-wheeler resulting in the young cow’s death. To atone for his sin, he took a ritualistic bath in the holy Ganga and organized a feast for the village elders.

Deccan Herald reports that when people refused to attend the feast, the Panchayat asked him to marry off his minor daughter as only a kanyadaan could make up for his crime.

The Pathariya police station and Women and Child Development (WCD) department received a tip that the wedding ceremony was to take place on February 14. They reached the venue and asked the family to provide documents that revealed the age of the girl. Her Aadhaar card showed that she was 13. WCD supervisor Anita Mourya was quoted saying,

“We had no option but to stop the illegal wedding because the girl is a minor.”

According to The New Indian Express, no police case has been registered. But the family has given a written undertaking that they will not marry the girl until she turns 18.

We hope that the family realizes their grave mistake focuses on the girl’s education.

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