Imphal: Viral social media photos of a man posing as a groom with two women have triggered a fierce debate in Manipur. Citizens are demanding that authorities investigate whether the public spectacle amounts to illegal glorification of polygamy. Advocates warn that such displays threaten the dignity of women and violate the long-standing monogamy traditions of the Meitei community.
Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh addressed the issue in a Facebook post titled "A Concern for Our Daughters and Our Society." He argued that the posts could mislead younger generations. The law is clear. Under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, a Hindu cannot marry a second time while their first spouse is alive. Such unions are void and bigamy carries penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Critics are now slamming law enforcement for staying silent while these images circulate online. Many people suspect selective enforcement: they fear that politically connected individuals get a pass while ordinary citizens face the law. This trend contrasts sharply with neighboring Assam, where the state assembly recently enacted the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Act to tighten rules against multiple marriages.
The debate has moved past one set of photos. Observers worry that normalizing these relationships on social media makes statutory law look optional. Authorities must now decide if they will investigate the claims or allow the public outcry to fade without action.
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