BERHAMPUR: Family members of an additional tehsildar in Ganjam district have been allegedly ostracised by their community members after the officer married outside caste earlier this year.
On Friday, Bijay Behera, father of Aska additional tehsildar Saudagar Behera, lodged a complaint with Chhatrapur police alleging that his family has been socially boycotted by members of their community due to his son’s inter-caste marriage. Bijay is a resident of Munishipentha village in Chhatrapur and belongs to Kaibarta caste.
In his complaint, he said Saudagar married a girl from another caste in February this year. Bijay informed the members of Kaibarta community about the marriage. Community members reportedly asked him if he would sever ties with his son. He refused and said Saudagar and his wife would continue to live with his family. Subsequently, he was told that the matter would be placed in the next community meeting.
Bijay claimed the meeting was never held. Instead, community members started to socially boycott him. On November 23, he attended a wedding feast in the village where his food plate was reportedly snatched and he was asked to leave the venue. Feeling humiliated, he returned home. Later, villagers reportedly hurled abuses at his family members for Saudagar’s inter-caste marriage, forcing Bijay to approach police.
Acting on the complaint, police called Bijay and leaders of Kaibarta community of Munishipentha for discussion. Chhatrapur IIC Sabyasachi Malla said discussion between both the parties is underway to resolve the matter amicably.
While the additional tehsildar could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, Ganjam SP Subhendu Patra said a case has been registered on basis of the complaint filed by Bijay. Police are verifying the allegations.
On the other hand, some leaders of Kaibarta community termed denied the allegation of ostracism and termed Bijay’s claims as baseless and false. They claimed Bijay attended the feast uninvited and accordingly, was asked to leave. “The matter will be settled according to our community rules,” they added.