Rautahat, June 2: The system of “jari” compensation is likely to assume alarming proportions in the kachadiya community because of lack of social awareness.

Jari is the compensation money that is paid to the aggreived party when a man and woman elope, and it is illegal. But this practice remains commonplace among the kachadiya because of prevailing illiteracy, poverty and conservative ways.

According to Judibela VDC chairman Ganga Prasad Kanel, jari has become accepted practice although it constitutes a problem.

He further says that jari marriages among the kachadiya in Chandranigahapur, Gaidatar, Simrik, Rajpenda, Judibela and Rangapur in Rautahat district are having the effect of making women weaker.

Although jari relationships are prohibited by the civil code of Nepal, it is occasionally looked upon in this community as something conferring social prestige on those involved. This is at the cost of women’s rights and interests.

Only recently, the wife of Bhagaural Dhami in Judibela VDC Ward No 4 eloped with his neighbour Ghoma Dhami. Bhagaural reported the matter to the community and Ghoma payed him Rs 2,000 as jari compensation. In another incident, Phaguni Kumar of the same VDC eloped with a local girl. The community then forced him to pay Rs l,000 and the girl’s parents Rs 500 in jari.

Social worker Supat Bahadur Karki feels that the jari system amounts to indirect purchase of women. Under the origional civil code, a complaint lodged against the eloping couple by the aggrieved party could result in up to two months imprisonment and a fine of Rs l,000 to 2,000.

But the sixth amendment to that particular law says once litigation is brought by the aggrieved party the elopement becomes null and void. Under this law payment of jari is clearly illegal.