Cleansing ritual: 40 tribal family members tonsure heads after inter-caste marriage in Odisha; probe launched after viral video surfaces

BHUBANESWAR: Around 40 members of a tribal family in Odisha’s Rayagada district shaved their heads as part of a cleansing ritual after a girl from the 'kutumb' married a man from a different caste and community, officials said.

The event occurred on Thursday at Baiganaguda village within Gorakhpur gram panchayat of Kashipur block.

The ceremony gained attention when footage showing men with shaved heads began circulating on social media platforms.
The authenticity of the circulated video remains unverified independently.

According to local sources, the bride, from a Scheduled Tribe background, married a Scheduled Caste man without familial consent, causing displeasure amongst villagers.

A village council determined that male relatives from the bride's extended family must shave their heads and present animal offerings, including goats, chickens and pigs, to their local deity.

The Rayagada tribal community traditionally prohibits marriages between different castes, considering such unions unacceptable.

The family reportedly faced threats of community exclusion if they failed to adhere to traditional practices.

Upon learning of the situation, district authorities dispatched Kashipur Block Development Officer (BDO) Bijay Soe to conduct an inquiry and submit findings to the collector.

BDO Soe's investigation included discussions with both families, who stated they had undertaken the rituals willingly and expressed no grievances.