Same Sex Marriage in India: Everything is Fair in Love

A marriage between same sexes is a commonly occurring thing in the west. In some western countries, gay or lesbian marriages have been legalized.
In India marriages between same sexes is looked down upon as act of defying the age old institution of marriage. It is goes against the concept of marriage which is for procreation and making of a family. It has no religious sanction.

Besides, in India homosexuality is still an offense and liable for punishment. Any physical or emotional relationship between people of the same sex is frowned upon by our conservative society. Gay or Lesbian couples are harassed, hounded and finally ostracized by our society. Even the families of the couple have to bear the life long stigma of their wrong doing.

I came across this interesting story which occurred in eastern state of India, in Orissa's Koraput district two Kondh women, both belonging to tribal society, defied all norms and traditions, when they tied nuptial knot.

In a remote village of Narayanpatna, Bateka Palang 30 and her bride 25 years-old Maleka Nilsa were declared as husband and wife and their marriage solemnized in the presence of family. Bateka and Maleka love story has the making of a Bollywood movie. Intriguingly the village elders reluctantly gave their approval to the couples' marriage.

They wanted the matter be kept a hushed up affair, lest it brought shame and disgrace to the village. Bateka and Maleka were cousins. Bateka used to visit Maleka house which set the tone for their romantic parley. The courtship went on for four years. When their parents began to suspect their unusual relationship they tried to separate them. When the community's pressure and threat became unbearable, both of them eloped.

Later they were spotted together in a village fair and caught. Bateka and Maleka were madly in love with each other and stood steadfast together. The family and villagers, sensing the couple's defiant nature, finally gave in to their wishes.

This is, perhaps, the first time a same sex marriage had taken place in the traditionally bound tribal society in India. As per the Kondh traditions, the groom's family has to give a dowry to the bride's family. A tin of wine and a cow was handed over to the bride's family before the marriage. After the marriage, this is what the couple had to say:

'We are happy to become life partners and are committed to live together. If our community and families try to separate us, we will run away again'.