Pune: Kanjarbhat couple ties knot by rejecting ‘virginity test’

In their marriage invitation card, Vivek and Aishwarya had appealed to guests to participate in their marriage for strengthening their fight against “virginity test” and other unfair practices in Kanjarbhat community.

The wedding took place in the presence of police personnel, actor Nagraj Manjule, Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe, Mukta Dabholkar of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti and others. Also, following a letter by state women’s commission chief Vijaya Rahatkar to the Pune city police, police were deployed at the marriage ceremony to prevent any untoward incident.

“Only the traditional Kanjarbhat rituals that cause no harm were followed during our marriage. No unfair practices like ‘virginity tests’ or ‘Khushi’ were followed. Elders and caste panchayat members sit together before marriage and decide the amount of money to be taken from family of bride and groom as ‘Khushi’ for approval of marriage. Women do not take part in these meetings. But, in my marriage, my mother and aunty and also anti-superstition activist Nandini Jadhav sat in the meeting. No money was paid as ‘Khushi’. Some elders in the

community may not have liked it. But my parents and also Aishwarya’s supported us fully. The marriage ceremony ended happily and peacefully. About 25 members of our WhatsApp group, including senior government officer and our guiding force Krushna Indrekar, were present,” Vivek said.

When contacted, anti-superstition activist Nandini Jadhav said, “I was present in the meeting between elders at this marriage. There was hesitation among some community members. They tried to convince me that nothing wrong takes place in the community. However, nobody opposed me or talked about virginity test. It was a revolutionary marriage ceremony. We appreciate the work done by WhatsApp group members despite facing several odds.”

For the last few months, the members of this WhatsApp group have been trying to create awareness against “virginity tests”. The Indian Express had first reported about the group after its member Siddhant Indrekar filed a complaint against the Kanjarbhat caste panchayat at the Vishrantwadi police station on November 25, 2017.

On January 21, few members of the group were beaten up by a group of about 40 during a marriage at Bhat Nagar in Pimpri.

On February 28, replying to a query by Shiv Sena’s Neelam Gorhe, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ranjit Patil had assured protection would be provided to those who come forward with complaints against “virginity tests”.

Kanjarbhat activist Ganesh Machare said, “There was no plan by any community member to disrupt the marriage of Vivek and Aishwarya. In fact, we called police officials requesting them to deploy policemen at their wedding. Not many from the Kanjarbhat community were present at their wedding as we did not get any invite. We are a progressive community that believes in giving equal rights and education to our women.”

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