National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): In a significant development, the NHRC on 06-06-2024, took serious note on the regressive practice of ‘Nata Pratha’ wherein girls in some communities are sold either on a stamp paper or otherwise in the name of marriage having no legal sanctity in parts of Rajasthan and the adjoining areas in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Taking note of the unethical and immoral consequences of the ‘Nata Pratha’ on women and minor girls, the NHRC called for its eradication and issued notices to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, directing them to submit a report within 8 weeks vis-a-vis the measures taken or proposed to be taken in this regard.
Background and Investigation: The NHRC issued the afore-stated direction in pursuance of a complaint filed by the father of a minor girl who was allegedly kidnapped in Rajasthan’s Salamgarh, District Pratapgrah and her body was found in Danpur, District Banswada in the State.
The Commission through its Investigation Division conducted a spot enquiry in the matter and found that the father of the girl himself had sold her for marriage to a man for Rs 2.5 lakh under a purchase deal signed by their families under ‘Nata Pratha’ in the presence of the villagers in July 2019. The groom paid Rs 60,000 and the remaining amount was to be paid by January 2020. When the groom failed to pay the remaining amount within the stipulated time, the father brought his daughter back and fixed her ‘Nata’ with another man for Rs 32,000. The girl objected to this and made a complaint with the SP, Banswada against her father alleging that he was an alcoholic and had made several attempts to fix her ‘Nata’ against her will with many boys to earn money and that he had also threatened to kill her.
The police failed to take any action on her complaint, and the girl committed suicide in June 2020.
The NHRC enquiry revealed that the father had filed a complaint with the NHRC to save himself from any action on the police complaint filed by the deceased daughter against him.
Suggested Measures: The Research Wing of the NHRC noted that the ‘Nata Pratha’ is comparable to modern forms of prostitution and suggested that besides enacting a law, individuals involved in ‘Nata Pratha’ must be prosecuted under laws relating to human trafficking and for selling the minor girls under the relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
The Research Wing also suggested setting up of a board or a group at village level to register the cases of ‘Nata Pratha’ in addition to building awareness and ensuring improvement in the economic and social status of girls and women via education and awareness.
The NHRC stated that it had shared the afore-stated findings and suggestions with the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in March 2024 and opined that Nata Pratha is a social evil, which is not only immoral but also derogatory to women, therefore, this regressive custom needs to be abolished.
Source: Press
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