Father Performs Last Rites for Living Daughter Over Interfaith Marriage

A resident of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh has performed pind daan, a Hindu funeral ritual traditionally reserved for the deceased, for his living daughter following her marriage to a Muslim man and subsequent religious conversion. Sujan Datta's actions have effectively severed familial ties with his daughter Simran, who is still alive. The ritual, which involves shaving the head and performing ceremonies typically associated with death rites, marks a complete rejection of the daughter within the family structure. Local Bengali community members have reportedly expressed support for Datta's decision, viewing the interfaith marriage and religious conversion as violations of family and cultural norms. The incident reflects ongoing tensions in parts of India surrounding interfaith marriages and religious identity, with families sometimes resorting to extreme measures to express disapproval of such unions. Datta's action effectively treats his daughter as deceased despite her being alive, permanently severing the relationship and stripping her of family recognition. The case raises questions about parental authority, religious tolerance, and the rights of individuals to choose their life partners and faith.