Tribal woman ostracised for adopting children

Ranchi: A Jharkhand woman has been ostracised and asked to leave her village because she adopted two children in violation of tribal law. A tribal panchayat, known as Dokolo Sohor Mahasamittee (DSM), asked Salomi Tuddu to leave Khuti village, 35 km from here, by Sep 21.

"The decision to ask the woman to leave the village has been taken as there is no provision in our law for child adoption," said Dev Kumar Dhan, convenor of DSM.

"In Munda, Ho, Oraon, Santhal, Kharia and other tribal sects there is no law allowing adoption. The woman has done wrong by adopting the children." "We are guided by tribal law, not by the Indian constitution. We cannot allow the Indian law to any way harm the law of tribal society," Dhan added.

Salomi, who is childless, was served notice by the tribal panchayat to present her viewpoint. However, she did not appear before the village body because she didn't think she had done anything wrong.

She had come back to Khuti with her adopted children after her husband's death. The issue was raised a few months later. "I do not know what to do now," said Salomi, hoping that good sense would prevail and the decision would be revoked. The panchayat decision has invited sharp reaction from social workers.

"It is against the spirit of a democratic system. The tribal panchayat never bothers about women who migrate outside the state. Our tribal leaders had fought for social causes, but the panchayat's decision is an insult to them," said Dayamani Barla, a tribal woman who works as a social worker.

Source: New Kerala.com