In Odisha’s Koraput district, a tribal couple was publicly humiliated and forced to pull a plough like bullocks in a village square on Sunday as part of a “purification ritual” ordered by an informal village court. Narendra and Asanti Pidika, members of the Kondh tribe, had eloped and married despite belonging to the same clan, violating deeply entrenched local tribal customs.
They were made to wear garlands of shoes, paraded through the village amid jeers, tied to a wooden yoke typically used for harnessing oxen, and made to haul a plough while enduring physical assaults. The incident, recorded on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked outrage and renewed calls to curb extra-judicial punishments in tribal areas.
Authorities have registered a formal case, launched an investigation, and promised action against the perpetrators. This episode follows a similar case last month in neighbouring Rayagada district where another couple faced brutal punishment for marrying within prohibited kinship ties.
Harsh “Purification Ritual” Reflects Tensions between Tradition and Rights
The disturbing episode unfolded in Pedaitiki village under Narayanapatna block, Koraput, where the couple’s transgression of intra-clan marriage norms—considered taboo among many tribal communities—triggered a brutal village-sanctioned punishment. Local elders and villagers convened an informal kangaroo court, enforcing a “cleansing” ritual intended to restore social order.
Witnesses recount how Narendra and Asanti were stripped of their dignity: wearing shoe garlands symbolic of contempt, paraded publicly under jeering crowds, and then tied to a yoke, compelled to drag a heavy plough across the village ground. During the ordeal, the couple was forcibly handled and physically assaulted.
Community members justified these actions as necessary to prevent curses or misfortune believed to arise from violating ancient customs. Officials noted that after the ritual the couple was permitted to stay in Narendra’s parental home, suggesting some degree of local reconciliation.
Repeat Pattern in Rayagada Underlines Wider Issue
This Koraput incident is not isolated. In June 2025, a similar event occurred in Rayagada district, where a tribal couple faced comparable public humiliation and violence for marrying within the same clan circle—the man being the son of the woman’s paternal aunt.
After being made to pull a plough and flogged, they were shunned and eventually forced to leave their village. Such incidents spotlight the ongoing collision between time-honoured tribal customs—enforced by informal village councils and elders—and the fundamental rights guaranteed under Indian law. These practices expose serious gaps in law enforcement and challenge authorities seeking to protect vulnerable individuals from unlawful collective punishment.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While respecting cultural traditions is crucial to preserving tribal identity and social cohesion, The Logical Indian firmly condemns any practice that demeans, humiliates, or inflicts physical harm on individuals under the guise of “justice.” Culture must evolve with compassion and respect for human dignity, not stagnate in cruelty.
The repetition of such injurious acts by community-led kangaroo courts highlights the urgent need for awareness, education, and stronger legal intervention in tribal areas. Sustainable change is only possible through inclusive dialogue that honours both cultural values and universal human rights.
