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Village Backs Temple Marriage of Two Women in West Bengal’s Sundarbans

The ceremony holds no legal status in India, with the question of same‑sex marriage still before the Supreme Court.

Overview

  • Riya Sardar and Rakhi Naskar, performers in their early twenties, exchanged garlands and vows at Paler Chak temple on Nov. 4 under priest-led Hindu rituals.
  • Hundreds of villagers attended, offered blessings, and helped organise a feast, treating it like any other wedding.
  • The pair say they met on social media, later joined the same dance troupe, and pursued the union after facing pressure and rejection from relatives.
  • Local police reported no complaint and indicated no intervention was required for the peaceful temple function.
  • Footage of the ceremony circulated widely online, drawing praise for the community’s support.