Tribal Couple Forced to Plough Land in Humiliating ‘Purification’ Ritual in Rayagada

Rayagada: In a shocking incident in Rayagada district, a tribal couple was forced to haul a plough on their shoulders and till the land like oxen as part of a so-called purification ritual for marrying within the family.

The bizarre incident occurred in Kanjamajodi village under Shikarpai panchayat in Kalyansinghpur block on Wednesday, came to light on Friday after videos surfaced, sparking widespread outrage over the inhumane treatment.

As per reports, 32-year-old Kodia Saraka married his aunt (his father’s sister), a relationship deemed taboo by the village community. The villagers, viewing marriage between blood relatives as a sin that brings misfortune, convened a community meeting and decided the couple must undergo a humiliating ritual to “purify” themselves.

The couple was forced to till the land with a plough tied to their shoulders in full public view, as seen in the viral video clips. Following the ritual, they were expelled from the village, and their current whereabouts remain unknown.

While some villagers opposed the act, they refrained from intervening, though a few recorded the incident on their mobile phones. The videos triggered public outcry, prompting the district administration to order an investigation.