Law Minister Takes Stand Against Tribal Kangaroo Courts in Odisha

In Odisha, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has taken a strong stance against the recent incidents of tribal couples being publicly humiliated by kangaroo courts. He has promised stringent legal action against those involved in these immoral practices. The Minister highlighted the need for awareness in remote areas, where such harmful customs persist. Two specific cases in Rayagada and Koraput, where couples faced severe punishment for marrying within their clan, have sparked outrage and prompted government intervention. Despite some villagers defending these actions as traditional rituals, authorities are moving swiftly to hold the perpetrators accountable. Read on to learn more about the government's response and the ongoing investigations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2025, 09:57 IST

Government's Response to Tribal Humiliation Incidents

Bhubaneswar: In light of recent incidents where tribal couples faced public humiliation for allegedly breaching customs, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has vowed to enforce strict legal measures against those involved in these so-called 'kangaroo courts.' He condemned these actions as 'immoral' and emphasized that the government will not tolerate such hateful practices.

Harichandan noted that the state has already begun legal proceedings against the perpetrators. He attributed these occurrences to a lack of awareness in remote areas, where some influential individuals perpetuate harmful traditions that adversely affect society. He assured that no one would escape accountability for taking the law into their own hands, promising rigorous action to prevent future incidents of this nature.

The Minister's comments came after two alarming cases were reported: one in Kanjamajodi village of Rayagada district and another in Peda Itiki village of Koraput district. In both instances, tribal couples who married within their clan faced severe mistreatment from local community members.

In the Rayagada case, a 32-year-old man and his father's cousin sister were tied to a yoke and forced to plow fields as punishment for their 'secret' marriage against family wishes. Villagers, including women and children, witnessed this cruel act. Similarly, in Koraput, a 21-year-old man and his 20-year-old cousin were paraded while tied to a yoke for their marriage, deemed a violation of tribal customs. Videos of these incidents circulated widely on social media, prompting the Law Minister to call for immediate legal action against those responsible for organizing these kangaroo courts.

Despite public outrage, some villagers defended their actions, claiming they were part of traditional purification rituals. In response, Rayagada police have detained several individuals based on video evidence and are currently interrogating them. The local administration in Koraput has also initiated an investigation into the matter.