India Brothers Marry Same Woman in Rare Tribal Custom

Two brothers in India have married the same woman, reviving an ancient tribal tradition.

The wedding, held in Himachal Pradesh, attracted wide attention after photos went viral online.

Pradeep and Kapil Negi, both members of the Hatti tribe, married Sunita Chauhan in a public ceremony on July 12.

Hundreds of villagers attended the three-day wedding in the Sirmaur district.

The couple took part in the traditional ritual of circling a sacred fire while villagers sang folksongs. “We followed the tradition proudly. It was a joint decision,” said Pradeep, one of the grooms.

Custom Still Exists in Some Himalayan Regions

Polyandry is banned in most of India. However, tribal groups like the Hatti tribe still practice it in remote parts of the Himalayas. Local laws allow the tradition under customary protections.

Kapil said the arrangement promotes stability and unity. “We’re offering support and love as a united family,” he explained. One brother works in government, while the other lives abroad.

In this custom, the wife shares her time with each brother through a mutual schedule. The eldest brother becomes the legal father of any children. The family raises the children together.

Rights Group Criticizes the Practice

Women’s rights group AIDWA condemned the marriage. General Secretary Mariam Dhawale called the practice “exploitative” and said it violated women’s rights.

“Such acts of women’s exploitation go against fundamental freedoms,” she told local media.

Local Lawmaker Defends Custom

Despite the criticism, local lawmaker Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan supported the tradition. “We have customary laws to protect polyandry,” he said after the wedding gained attention online.

A tribal elder, Kundal Lal Shashtri, pointed to Indian mythology for support. He referred to Draupadi, a character in the Mahabharata, who married five brothers.

Around 300,000 Hatti tribe members live in remote villages across the Sirmaur district. Their unique customs remain a strong part of their cultural identity.

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