Christians from tribal background denied marrage
in the central Indian state Madhyapradesh
CHristian-Tribal Marriage postponed thrice in
Madhya Pradesh
Meena Gond, 36, a tribal girl and Peter Abraham,
38, of Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh applied
for permission to wed at the office of the local
authoritiesin October 2006.
However, the 'Dharma Sena' is opposing the marriage
as they claim this would boost conversions in
Madhya Pradesh
And Additional Collector Deepak Singh, who is
also the district marriage officer, has refused
to solemnise the marriage on the three dates
given by his office because 'the groom is a
Christian while the bride is not'.
After they applied to marry, the couple patiently
waited for the mandatory 40-day notice period
to elapse during which objections, if any, could
be filed. The waiting was over Nov 13 but the
Dharam Sena filed an objection.
They were asked to appear Dec 20. That day the
couple was aghast to find the marriage date
postponed yet again. They were told to come
Jan 4 because investigation on the Sena's complaint
had not been completed.
On Jan 4, they were again not allowed to marry
and have been called Jan 11.
Disgusted, Meena has threatened suicide if she
is not allowed to marry Peter. 'I am fed up.
It looks like I should commit suicide,' she
said.
But the Dharam Sena is not moved. Sudhir Agarwal,
the Sena's Mahakaushal region convenor, said:
'Peter is a Christian. He has lured the poor
tribal girl by offering money. Sooner or later,
she will be forced to change her religion.
Posted by: "grimgargantua" grimgargantua@email.com
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