Forced to Wed:Two young girls commit suicide

A classic case of the oppressive Indian patriarchal society, two young girls have been found dead in a case of suspected suicide because of forced marriage. 19-year-olds Asha Shrikant Burud and Swati Umesh Zanjare were married in a mass marriage on April 29 and May 1 in Ambegaon Taluka of Maharashtra. The two did not want to get married.

As per police reports, the girls were from Asane village and that Zanjare was married off on April 29 and Burud on May 1 in a neighbouring village of Adivare. On May 10, they both left their respective houses saying that they are going to the nearby forest to collect forest produce and never came back home. Later in the evening when their family members got worried, a missing person report was filled by them in the nearby Ghodegaon police station.

Swati Umesh Zanjare and Asha Shrikant Burud: Victims of forced marriage( Picture Credit: Indian express)

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Three days later, their bodies were found hanging from the tree. Both Zanjare and Burud came from a farmer family background.

“Based on the primary investigation, we believe that the two have committed suicide. Though we are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the deaths, we suspect that the two ended their lives as they were married against their wishes. We are yet to record the statements of the family members, relatives and others. It is only after the probe we would be able to confirm the reason,” said Inspector Girish Dighavkar of Ghodegaon police station to Indian Express.

Even as the police investigates the reason for death, it is confirmed that the girls were compelled to marry beyond their wishes. It is indeed a sad situation wherein young girls are forced to  take such drastic steps for lack of choice in crucial life decisions.

Feature Image Credit: monitor.co.ug