Rare Same-Sex Marriage in Bihar: Woman Marries Her Niece in Gopalganj, Sparks Social Media Debate

In a highly unusual case of same-sex marriage in India, particularly between women, a woman from Gopalganj district in Bihar has married her own niece after a three-year-long romantic relationship. Suman, a middle-aged woman, left her husband and eloped with her niece, Shobha, to tie the knot according to Hindu rituals.

The marriage ceremony, which took place at a local temple in Belwa village, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media. The footage shows the aunt-niece couple exchanging garlands and vows, with Suman tying a mangalsutra around Shobha’s neck. The couple also performed the traditional 'saat phere,' symbolizing their commitment to one another for seven lifetimes.

When questioned about her decision to marry a woman, and specifically her niece, Suman expressed her deep love for Shobha, stating that she couldn’t bear the thought of her being married to someone else. "Shobha is the love of my life. The fear of losing her to another person drove us to leave everything behind and get married, regardless of societal opinions," Suman said.

Shobha echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that their happiness together outweighs any societal judgment. The couple publicly announced their marriage by sharing videos of the ceremony on social media, informing their families of their decision.

 

The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in India, where same-sex relationships, though legal, still face significant social stigma.