Himachal brothers who married same bride face online abuse, but their reply bound to silence trolls

Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA: The two brothers from Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh who married the same bride have found themselves at the centre of a social media storm as they have been facing abuse and criticism online.

Following the centuries-old tradition of ‘Jodidar Pratha’, Pradeep and Kapil Negi from Thindo village in Shillai recently married Sunita in a ceremony held with full consent from their families and the local community.

After weeks of silence, the brothers have spoken out and their dignified response is now winning hearts across the country. “Some people are abusing us on social media, but it doesn’t bother me,” said Pradeep. “We chose this marriage to uphold our tradition and to stay united as a family. We are happy and that’s what matters.”

Say they didn’t marry to be in the news

Pradeep works in the Jal Shakti Department, while his younger brother Kapil is a chef employed overseas. Their bride, Sunita, hails from Kunhat village. The marriage took place between July 12 and 14 in a traditional ceremony attended by both families and members of their community.

Kapil firmly dismissed the notion that the marriage was meant for attention. “We didn’t marry to be famous. In many families in our region, brothers marry the same woman. Ours only became news because someone highlighted it,” he said. The couple and both brothers live together in harmony, with full family support.

Reviving the fading tradition of ‘Jodidar Pratha’

The marriage is rooted in Jodidar Pratha, the traditional custom among the Haatti community, where multiple brothers marry a single woman to avoid the division of ancestral property. Pradeep explained that this practice isn’t unique to their region, but is also found in neighbouring areas like Jaunsar-Bawar in Uttarakhand.

He said that in many such unions, both brothers even exchange garlands, symbolising equal partnership. While the practice has declined over time, some families still choose it as a way to preserve unity and economic stability.

“We’re from a humble background. We don’t have much land or money. This is a way to stay together and protect our family’s future,” Pradeep said.

Brothers appeal to let them live their life in peace

Despite facing waves of judgment online, the brothers insist they’ve done nothing wrong. “People who know nothing about our culture are the ones passing comments. The marriage was done with mutual consent. Our family and society are happy. We request others not to judge us as we have our own way of life,” Pradeep appealed.

Their calm, reasoned response has resonated with many online who are now urging respect for cultural diversity. What began as a viral controversy is now sparking deeper discussions around traditions, autonomy and the importance of informed understanding over instant outrage. As the Negi brothers put it: “We’re not here to convince the world. We just want to live our lives, together, in peace.”