Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday took suo motu cognizance of a media report highlighting the alleged social ostracisation of a woman and her family in Sundargarh district, and the reported denial of community support for her last rites.
The Commission issued a notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. It observed that, if the allegations are true, they raise serious concerns of human rights violations.
According to the report, an 80-year-old woman, Suni Mundari, of Mahuldiha village under Mahulpada police station limits, died on June 10 (Wednesday) after enduring a 12-year-long social boycott along with her daughter, Prabhati Mundari (45).
The mother-daughter duo was allegedly ostracised by villagers in 2013 after Prabhati reportedly eloped with a man from another caste. Although she later returned home, the community is said to have imposed a penalty of a goat, rice, and cash as a condition for lifting the boycott. Unable to meet the demand, the family reportedly continued to face social exclusion.
During this period, Prabhati is said to have been caring for her ailing mother while living in a modest hut. Over time, Suni Mundari’s health deteriorated due to a lack of support, and she eventually became bedridden.
The matter came to light after locals informed Bonai Sub-Collector Ashok Kumar Das about the situation. Following this, an inquiry was conducted on Wednesday, during which officials found that Suni had already died at her residence.
However, villagers allegedly refused to participate in the funeral rites due to the ongoing social boycott, prompting the local administration to step in. With assistance from local NGOs, authorities ensured that the last rites were performed in the presence of the deceased woman’s daughter.
The NHRC has now sought a comprehensive report from the state government, observing that the incident, if confirmed, may amount to a serious violation of human rights.
