Imphal: A viral photo of Manipur Minister Thongam Bishwajit is making waves online. The IPR and PWD official participated in a Loukhatpa ceremony today at Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak. He stood with his new wife, Sorokhaibam Rebika. The minister already has a wife named Junreiwon, also known as Junjun, and two daughters. Questions persist regarding the status of his first marriage.
Public figures face higher scrutiny. When a top politician takes a second spouse, the citizenry takes notice. Bigamy rules in India are complex. Under the 1955 Hindu Marriage Act, polygamy is illegal for citizens, barring exceptions in Goa and for Muslims. Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code labels bigamy a non-cognizable, bailable offense. It carries a penalty of seven years behind bars or a fine. Courts often require the first spouse to object for cases to move forward.
History offers mixed results for politicians in similar positions. Bollywood star Dharmendra married Hema Malini while wed to Prakash Kaur, citing no conversion to Islam despite rumors. Mulayam Singh Yadav only acknowledged his second wife, Sadhna Gupta Yadav, in 2007 during a Supreme Court property dispute. Ram Vilas Paswan faced scrutiny over his 1983 marriage to Reena Sharma while his first wife, Rajkumari Devi, was living. Supporters of the BJP once targeted Digvijaya Singh with posters labeled "desh premi patni premi" regarding his personal relationships. While the law often views a second partner as a mistress, social recognition varies. As one report noted: "When Tom, Dick or Harry married for the second or third time nobody cares but when a top politician who is also having important portfolio married a second wife then it is natural that everybody wants to know about it."
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