Family performs symbolic funeral for daughter who eloped

In a shocking and unusual incident from Madhya Pradesh, a family in Vidisha district performed funeral rites for their daughter after learning that she had secretly married her lover and left home.
Kavita, a 23-year-old woman from Vidisha, had gone missing recently, prompting her family to search for her in nearby areas. It later emerged that she had eloped and married her lover without informing her family.
Deeply distressed by the revelation, the family declared her “dead” to them and decided to conduct symbolic last rites.
A doll resembling Kavita, made of flour, was placed on a stick and taken out in a funeral procession to the crematorium. At the cremation ground, the family carried out all funeral rituals as per tradition and finally set the effigy on fire. Visuals of the symbolic funeral procession and cremation have since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention.
Kavita’s father, Rambabu Kushwaha, speaking with tears, said the family was completely shattered by their daughter’s decision and described it as the most painful moment of his life.
The incident has sparked debate and concern over social pressures and family reactions to relationships by choice.