Kangaroo Court Punishes Couple Like Animals in Odisha
In Odisha’s Rayagada district, a tribal couple was subjected to a form of physical punishment that raises serious public health and medical concerns. In the viral footage, a couple, a 32-year-old man and his father’s cousin’s sister, both of similar age, are shown. They had secretly married without the approval of their families or the village. As a form of public humiliation, they were tied together with a bamboo yoke and forced to plow farmland, mimicking bullocks.
This punishment was not only physically strenuous but also emotionally traumatic. It was ordered by a so-called kangaroo court an unofficial village gathering with no legal standing.
Rising Concerns and Outrage
As the video spread online, it triggered national outrage and calls for strict legal action. Human rights advocates, legal experts, and the general public have condemned the act as both barbaric and regressive.
This incident has once again brought attention to the dangerous role of unofficial village courts in tribal and rural India, where traditional norms often override constitutional rights.
Physical Health Risks
The punishment involved tying the bamboo yoke across the shoulders of the couple, causing:
- Musculoskeletal strain: Forced weight-bearing activities, similar to animal labour, may result in muscle tears, joint pain, or spinal injuries.
- Risk of soft tissue injury: Prolonged pressure from the yoke can cause bruising, abrasions, and possible nerve compression.
- Heat-related illness: Given the rural climate and outdoor exposure, the couple was also at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Such exertion, especially without adequate hydration or medical supervision, poses a clear threat to physical well-being.
Â
Psychological Trauma
From a psychiatric and psychological viewpoint, this act can lead to:
- Acute stress reaction: Sudden exposure to intense humiliation may trigger immediate symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Long-term effects may include flashbacks, nightmares, social withdrawal, and chronic emotional distress.
- Depressive disorders: Being shamed publicly can lead to feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and a heightened risk of suicide in vulnerable individuals.
Legal and Social Implications
Such punishments are not recognised by Indian law and violate multiple human rights, including the right to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of choice in marriage. Kangaroo courts have no legal authority, and their actions are often abusive and discriminatory.
Marriage between consenting adults, even within closely related tribal customs, is not illegal unless prohibited by law. However, the couple’s union was deemed socially unacceptable by local standards, which led to this harsh reaction.
Conclusion
This incident is a stark reminder of how traditional justice systems, if left unchecked, can endanger physical and mental health. Medical professionals, public health authorities, and legal systems must collaborate to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in marginalised communities.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
