Wives Rented In Madhya Pradesh Village: Dark Reality Of Dadhicha Pratha

In a startling revelation that shakes the foundations of modern Indian society, a village in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district has come under scrutiny for practising a heinous custom known as "Dadhicha Pratha." This tradition, which involves the renting of women and young girls as wives, exposes a dark underbelly of gender exploitation that persists despite India's progress in women's rights.

The Dadhicha Pratha Explained

According to Legal Services India, the Dadhicha Pratha is an annual event where families offer their daughters or wives for rent in a makeshift market. Men participate in this market, selecting women based on criteria such as virginity, physical appearance, and age. The practice has reportedly been ongoing for decades, with thousands of such arrangements finalized each year.

"Wives are handed over to prosperous businessmen who lack a spouse or partner," reports Legal Services India. "These transactions are formalized on stamped papers with nominal amounts like ten, fifty, or a hundred rupees."

The Disturbing Reality of Wife Rental in Rural India: Economics of Exploitation

The pricing of girls in this system is deeply disturbing. Legal Services India reveals that virgin girls between 8 and 15 years old are given preference, with prices ranging from Rs. 15,000 to 25,000 per bride. In some cases, the amount can soar to Rs. 2 lakhs for girls considered beautiful.

"The age of the bride significantly influences the pricing, with younger brides commanding higher amounts proposed by their families," the source states.

A Cycle of Abuse

Once rented, these girls and women face unimaginable horrors. They are often subjected to sexual abuse not only by their "husbands" but also by other male family members. "I was too naive to realise what was going on until I realised I was married off to a man four times my age!" recalls Reshma, who was rented out at age eight.

"He suddenly grabbed me and attacked me with a knife!" says Mahira, who was bought as a bride for Rs. 80,000 at age fourteen.

Dadhicha Pratha Root Causes

This abhorrent practice is fueled by several factors, including skewed sex ratios in some Indian states, poverty the desire to avoid dowry payments, and the commodification of women and girls. The escalating problem of female infanticide has significantly distorted India's sex ratio, particularly affecting regions like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

This imbalance has led men in these areas to seek brides from economically disadvantaged regions. Financial considerations play a crucial role, with families agreeing to rent or sell their daughters to avoid hefty dowry expenses. Most disturbingly, the practice reduces women and girls to mere commodities, with their value determined by factors such as age and physical appearance.

This dehumanizing approach perpetuates a cycle of exploitation and abuse, treating women as income-generating assets rather than human beings deserving of dignity and respect.

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Legal Challenges and Lack of Action

While India has laws against bride trafficking, including the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code, enforcement remains a significant challenge. Legal Services India notes that "research has demonstrated that there are many gaps in the law's treatment of human trafficking and slavery."

The report also highlights the lack of media attention and police inaction: "The police are also uninterested in looking into such problems."

The existence of practices like the Dadhicha Pratha in 21st-century India is a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done in achieving gender equality and protecting vulnerable populations. As the Legal Services India report concludes, "It is past time for the state to take notice of this and enact stronger legislation, as well as make people aware of how illegal it is in nature."

The eradication of such practices requires a multi-pronged approach, including stricter law enforcement, community education, and addressing the root causes of poverty and gender inequality. Only through concerted efforts can India hope to put an end to the Dadhicha Pratha and similar exploitative customs that continue to plague its most vulnerable citizens.

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