A government school teacher in Katihar, Avnish Kumar, has accused a woman’s family of abducting him and forcibly marrying him to Gunjan, 25, in a temple on Friday. Avnish, 28, stated that while on his way to school in an e-rickshaw, two SUVs intercepted him and took him to the temple, where he was pressured into the marriage. A video of the incident went viral, showing Avnish crying while performing the wedding rituals under duress.
However, Gunjan gave a different account, claiming she and Avnish had been romantically involved for four years. She mentioned that they had met while she was living with her sister in Rajaura village and that Avnish had recently taken her to Katihar. According to Gunjan, her family intervened to arrange the marriage, formalizing their relationship.
This incident has sparked a debate about the nature of the marriage, with Avnish describing it as a “pakadua vivah” (forced marriage), while Gunjan insists it was the culmination of a consensual relationship. Both families are now embroiled in a dispute, with differing narratives about the marriage’s true nature.
Authorities are investigating the incident, and the conflicting versions of events raise important questions about the cultural practices and pressures surrounding marriage in certain regions. The video evidence and testimonies will likely play a crucial role in determining the circumstances of this unusual marriage.
Read also