Tradition Of Accepting Sister-In-Law As Wife Gradually Decreasing In Tharu Ccommunity

Dhangadhi, June 12: The tradition of accepting sister-in-law as a wife is gradually deceasing in Tharu community in the western Terai though it was rampant in the past.
However, activists say that this tradition is gradually decreasing with the rise in consciousness and social transformation in the present years though it was widely practised some two decades ago.
"Getting married to the senior brother's widow was widely practiced earlier. But, the tradition of accepting sister-in-law as a wife is rare, thanks to rising consciousness among the community members," Tharu leader Lahuram Chaudhary said.
The younger brother is supposed to visit the bride's home during his brother's wedding ceremony as a junior groom and should accept the brother's widow and even the children in case of brother's death.
The leaders of Tharu community say that such a tradition might be in practice with an intention to take care of the widows. But, both the parties should agree to stay together. 
Elderly people claim that such tradition is a good tradition while the youngsters advocate against it. "New generation could not accept it as a good practice," said Bharthari Chaudhary of Ratanpur, Kanchanpur.