Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi, June 25: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a disturbing case of caste-based discrimination reported from Rayagada district in Odisha. The case involves the social boycott of a Scheduled Tribe (ST) woman's family after her marriage to a man from a Scheduled Caste (SC).
Taking the matter seriously, the Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Odisha, demanding a comprehensive report within two weeks.
According to media reports, the incident occurred in Baiganguda village under the Kashipur block of Rayagada. Following the inter-caste marriage, the woman's family was allegedly ostracised by the villagers. In an attempt to regain acceptance, the family was reportedly coerced into participating in a "purification ritual," which involved the forcible head-shaving of 40 male members of the family. They were also allegedly threatened with an indefinite social boycott if they refused to comply with the ritual.
The NHRC, taking note of the report published on June 21, observed that the incident—if true—amounts to a serious violation of human rights and reflects deeply entrenched caste-based discrimination. The Commission expressed grave concern over the infringement of the victims' dignity and the denial of their basic rights.
By intervening in the case, the NHRC seeks to uphold the constitutional values of equality and justice and ensure that such discriminatory practices are addressed with appropriate legal and administrative action.
