Trigger Warning- Mention of blood, rape, public victim shaming, assault
Written by Asish Sridhar
Edited by Anjini
Illustrated by Shravan Bakkiyaraj
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In Rajasthan, a woman in a village failed a “virginity test” after marriage. The in-laws assaulted her and publicly humiliated her in the Khap Panchayat. The bride’s family was also fined.
A woman dropping handkerchief for men
A gesture to chase
The handkerchief, plain white cloth,
a barrier of entry.
A conversation for a taste
A history of tradition, dating back to the Victorian Era.
A couple lay under the sheets.
She offers her husband saffron milk.
The newlyweds have a taste.
But in this case,
the blood-bond breaks,
The contract signed in ink is forcibly torn
And the bride’s family is fined.
The matrimonial column would lay bare,
An incident which cannot be repaired
The bystanders, scared,
All, for a hymen which had already torn
An abrupt end.
Allegations of a lost virginity
A loss of chaste
It was found that she had been raped
The victim, sentenced for life.
She is punished and beaten
A voice is buried.
The crying baby gets the milk,
But she cannot cry, for her family,
Are barred from feeding her.
But we can cry for her.
And that, starts by crying with her.
Inspired by
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