IANS

Ranchi, Nov 27 (mb):  A man in Jharkhand performed the last rites of his son, who is alive, for marrying a girl whose family has a history of leprosy.

Sunil Hansda, 25, a resident of Dhanbad district, around 240 km from here, married Sangita Soren at a temple this April. The couple subsequently got their marriage registered in court.

"My father is scared that children borne by Sangita will be affected by leprosy. He was against the marriage but we got married in a temple," said Sunil.

"After marriage, we went home to receive the blessings of my father but he asked me to desert my wife. My refusal made him angry," he added.

Since Sunil refused to leave his wife, his father Sonram Hansda declared him dead and performed his last rites last week.

"How can I desert my wife whom I love so much? She is pregnant. My father is angry but I am sure he will accept our marriage," Sunil said.

There are around 37,000 leprosy patients and over 20 colonies for them in Jharkhand.