Structural Basis of Gender Violence in Cross-Regional Marriages: Tale from Haryana, India

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Primary objective of the research is to study the various forms of violence existent in a cross-regional marriage. This form of marriage is the outcome of gendered marriage squeeze as there is discordance between supply and demand of brides in the marriage market of Haryana. Hence, brides are imported into Haryana from far-off poorer regions of the country like West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Chhattisgarh etc. This implies a big change or adjustment in traditional marriage behaviour for both the host as well as the feeder society. Methodology/approach Fieldwork was conducted in Haryana and West Bengal to get a first-hand understanding of the research problem. Focussed Group Discussions and In-Depth interviews were conducted to get a nuanced understanding of the issues in hand. An attempt for the first time has been made to study one of the regions, that is West Bengal, which is providing the brides. It is thought provoking to understand the reasons for occurrence of such marriages in West Bengal. Findings Prevalent socio-economic conditions of Haryana and West Bengal have been analysed to derive the causal factors for such a phenomenon. Haryana is a patriarchal, patrilineal and patrilocal society. Interplay of caste and class has significant repercussions on these brides who are married to the Haryana men. These brides go through a marriage which may not always be violent on the outside but definitely so in the inside. These brides face contestations in their everyday existence. Originality/value It would be of significance to the researchers in the field of sociology, anthropology, development studies, gender studies and demography. It would also interest human rights activists.