Bihar: More Than 3,400 Young Men Kidnapped By Brides' Families For Forced Marriage In 2017

A fresh report by Bihar police indicated that more than 3,400 grooms were kidnapped in Bihar in 2017 for ‘Pakadua vivah’, a practice of kidnapping bachelor males by bride’s family for forced marriage. The number stood at 3,070 in 2016. In 2015, 3,000 bridegrooms were kidnapped in the state for forced marriages. In 2014, the number was 2,526.

“Pakadua vivah is rampant in Bihar. About 3,405 youths have been kidnapped for forced marriage in the state. In most cases, marriages were solemnised at gunpoint or threats to their lives and families,” a police officer said to IANS.

The Pakadua vivah of an engineer in a village in Patna got national attention last month when the video went viral. He was abducted by bride’s family and forced to marry at gunpoint.

As per police records, nine forced marriages have been taking place in the state on an average per day. “In all such cases, either the youths and their parents have been forced at gunpoint,” the police officer said.

Mahender Yadav, an activist in Northern Bihar, told IANS that Pakadua Vivah was an oldest social problem in the state to due to high demand for dowry. “Girls families have been kidnapping suitable youths for forcible marriage. Families often use friends and relatives, and sometimes even hire professional criminals, to carry out abductions for marriages. What is alarming is that its number is increasing,” he added.

Patna Engineer’s ‘Pakadua Vivah’

The video of a 29-year-old engineer from Patna, allegedly forced for pakadua vivah had gone viral on social media. Vinod Kumar, a young engineer, was forced to marry the girl. The video footage portrayed Vinod Kumar, begging for the release while a group of women allegedly from bride’s family was trying to convince him to cooperate. Kumar’s brother filed a complaint with Pandarak police station.

‘Pakadua Vivah’

Pakadua Vivah is a colloquial term for groom kidnapping. It is also known as ‘Pakaruah Shaadi’ or ‘Jabaria Shaadi’. This phenomenon can be seen in western parts of Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Bachelor men are abducted by the bride’s family and forced to marry, to avoid dowry costs. This system first came to light in the 1980s. The bridegrooms from well-off families are targeted for Pakadua Vivah. The grooms are forced to marry often at gunpoints. The bride’s families abduct young men who have either cleared IAS exams, have a medical or engineering degree or have secured a government job.

Director Sushil Rajpal made a film on the issue. The film ‘Antardwand’, based on a real-life incident bagged National Film Award for Best Film on social issues.