Human Rights Commission Takes Action in Odisha Social Boycott Case

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated an investigation into the social boycott of a tribal family in Odisha’s Rayagada district following an inter-caste marriage. The NHRC has requested a detailed report from the Odisha government concerning the matter. According to reports, the villagers demanded a purification ritual from the family of the woman, who belongs to Scheduled Tribe (ST), if they wanted to be accepted back into the community. The villagers threatened an indefinite boycott if the family refused to comply with the ritual. The NHRC has expressed concerns that the news report suggests human rights violations and has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary. The woman’s family members were forced to shave their heads as part of the ritual. The incident occurred in Baiganaguda village, under Gorakhpur panchayat of Kashipur block on June 19. The cleansing ritual included the sacrifice of animals before the local deity. The woman married a man from a different caste, despite objections from her family and other villagers. The community meeting mandated the ritual to ‘atone’ for the perceived breach of social norms. Following a video of the event circulating on social media, the district administration ordered an investigation by Kashipur block development officer (BDO).