Bihar Village Bans 'Mrityubhoj', Sets Rs 5,100 Fine For Hosting Funeral Feast

Last Updated:June 30, 2025, 14:28 IST

A Mahadalit village in Bihar's Khagaria district banned 'mrityubhoj' (post-death feast) to prevent financial strain on poor families, with a Rs 5,100 fine for violations

The idea took root after Bablu Das chose not to hold a funeral feast following his mother’s death, a first for the village. (News18 Hindi)

In a remarkable move driven by collective will, a village in Bihar’s Khagaria district has banned the age-old tradition of post-death feasts; a practice that often plunges poor families into debt. The decision, taken unanimously by residents of Ward Number 8, Mahadalit Tola English Village in Maheshkhunt Panchayat, is being hailed as a step towards economic liberation and social reform.

The villagers, in a meeting chaired by Harilal Das, resolved that henceforth, no family would host a mrityubhoj, the customary feast organised after a death in the family. Instead, community members will only take part in the funeral procession (Katihari), and anyone violating this rule will be fined Rs 5,100. The penalty has been set deliberately high to dissuade people from returning to the tradition.

Residents told News18 Hindi that the idea took root after Bablu Das chose not to hold a funeral feast following his mother’s death, a first for the village. Inspired by this act, the villagers discussed the economic strain such rituals impose, especially on low-income households that often take out loans or mortgage land to host these feasts.

“Many people fall into debt trying to maintain societal expectations. This one decision will spare future generations from unnecessary financial burden," said a villager who attended the meeting.

The initiative is said to be influenced by the awareness campaign run by the All India Ravi Rasiya Dharma Sangathan, Khagaria unit, which advocates for the eradication of socially and economically oppressive customs.

Prominent villagers including Santosh Das, Pappu Das, Ramvilas Das, Chiranjiv Das, Maheshwar Das, Pankaj Das, Pardesi Das, Jamuna Das, Nunu Lal Das, Sanjay Das, and Bechan Das supported the resolution. Their participation underscored the widespread consensus behind the reform.

The news quickly gained traction on social media, drawing applause from across the region for the village’s bold stand. Users are lauding it as an example of how community-driven decisions can often succeed where policy interventions fall short.

Location :

Khagaria, India, India

First Published:

News india Bihar Village Bans 'Mrityubhoj', Sets Rs 5,100 Fine For Hosting Funeral Feast