This couple rebelled against Kanjarbhat customs 20 yrs ago
Almost 21 years after Krishna and Aruna Indrekar tied the knot, Krishna’s family finally accepted their relationship last year. But the Indrekars and their son continue to be an outcaste within the Kanjarbhat community, a de-notified tribe or vimukta jati, and live away from them in Mumbai.
The community, which is estimated to have a population of around 25,000 in Maharashtra, has related castes in other states.
Although youngsters in the community have recently started questioning and protesting against its established customs, including a virginity test for brides, the Indrekars had no support when they decided not to follow some marital customs laid down by the caste panchayat.
The couple ignored the family’s plan for a traditional wedding and got married in court.
Their families suffered backlash and the social ostracism stopped only after they paid a fine and performed dev dharm (rituals).
Krishna and Aruna refused to follow the “regressive practices” and moved out of the community. In 2003, they moved to Mumbai after Krishna, now director of accounts with the state charity commissioner, was transferred to the city.
“Girls in the community are not allowed to study. By the time they are 14, parents are already looking for a suitable match and they get them married even before they turn 18. Parents are always worried that if a girl goes to college, she will find someone and if she isn’t virgin, the community will not accept her,” said Aruna, now 48.
However, Aruna believes she was lucky as her family stood by her decision to support Krishna. Aruna goes on to add that almost three decades before the campaign against virginity test started on social media, it was she and her four siblings who challenged the norms by opting for higher education.
“I wasn’t aware of the virginity test till I turned 11. After that, I mentally prepared myself but I didn’t know that my husband had different plans for our life,” Aruna said.
As per the rules laid down by the caste panchayat, the families have to pay ‘khushi’ to them after the wedding. The couple is then sent to a lodge and if the girl doesn’t bleed, she is called a ‘khota maal’ and asked to undergo an agnipariksha.
As part of the customs, she is asked to carry a hot axe and called ‘pure’ only if there are no burn marks on her hand after the pariksha. But, if she fails in the test, the family has to pay a certain amount to the panchayat.
“Our community has always followed regressive practices,” said 51-year-old Krishna.
“The society has boycotted us, but we have always wished good for our community, which is why the seed sown by us is growing today,” Krishna added.
MUMBAI: