Problems faced by the abandoned wives of NRI grooms: A qualitative study

Pages: 352-356
Komal Sharma (Department of Sociology, PGGCG-11, Chandigarh)

In general, NRI marriages are arranged in a short period of time, without proper enquiry about the particulars of the bridegrooms and finally, the poor girls becoming the victims of fraudulent marriages. The problem of NRI boys marrying girls and then running away is becoming more and more alarming. In many cases, many of these NRIs are already married and have children or there is a big gap in age. Moreover, few visit India on a short trip only, in order to allure and exploit young girls who have dreams in their eyes to go abroad. Such grooms not only sexually exploit the girls but also demand handsome dowry from the bride’s family. In most of the cases, after the marriage has been solemnized the NRI husband goes back to his adopted country, leaving behind his newly-wed wife on the pretext that he would call her there very soon after making the necessary arrangements. However, after waiting for years together, the girl finds that her ‘NRI husband’ has not only exploited her sexually, but also left her to curse her miserable destiny for the whole life. She is oppressed and humiliated as she can’t raise her voice being new to that country, away from her parents, with nobody to help her in her agony. It is not possible to uncover the different problems of victims relating to their financial, psychological, socio-cultural and legal problems in the present paper. Therefore, in the present paper an attempt has been made to throw light on the problems faced by the abandoned wives of NRI groom with special reference to the physical abuse/ torture. Violence not only causes physical injury, it also undermines the social, economic, psychological, spiritual and emotional well being of the victim, the perpetrator and the society as a whole. Violence is a major contributor to the ill health of women. Therefore, with this an attempt has also been made to highlight the various health issues of the victims.