Man refrained from touching mother's body for 'marrying widow'

A man was today allegedly refrained from touching his mother's body at her funeral by a panchayat of the Valmiki community for "marrying a widow" on the grounds that he had gone against the "rules of the society".
The incident took place in Naubasta area of the district.
A year ago, Mithun Valmiki married a widow, who was elder to him and had six children from her first marriage.
"I have been ousted from the society for marrying a widow and was not even allowed to touch my mother after her death. I had left the village after my marriage but came back as my mother had fallen ill.," Mithun, who now stays in Meeta Sarai village, claimed while speaking to reporters here.

Mithun's mother Ramrati died yesterday at a hospital here following prolonged illness. He was with his mother at the time of her death.
Confirming the incident, Vijay Kumar, a member of the community, said, "He (Mithun) has been ousted from the community and was not allowed to enter the locality as he has gone against the rules of the society. Mithun's family was involved in making this decision."
According to Mithun, his wife and their six children were also not allowed to enter the locality.
However, later, Mithun was allowed to participate in the last rites at Bakarganj locality which was performed by his elder brother Ravindra and nephew Sajan.