Bizarre as it may sound, a marriage was stopped by guests at Kadabasant village under the Kamakhyanagar police limits in Dhenkanal district on Monday as they were not served Handia (rice beer).
Parau Marandi of the village had married Sajani Marandi of Kendumunda village under the Parjang police limits in the district eight years ago. Though their wedding ceremony had taken place at a temple, locals of the tribals-dominated Kadabasant village refused to accept the marriage as it was not held as per the rituals of the community. So, years later, the family members of Parau decided to conduct the ritualistic wedding. A feast was arranged for the villagers. However, the hosts didn’t make arrangement for Handia, which is a significant part of a tribal wedding function.
On realising about it, the village head called for cancellation of the marriage and demanded apology from the family members of the groom. Though the family sought the help of police, the cops failed to convince the village head and locals.
“There are two groups in the village. One group wants marriage in a modern way while the other demands it in traditional manner. Investigation into the matter is underway,” said Kamakhyanagar police station IIC Sarat Chandra Mahalik.