In India live- in relationships are still a stigma, although our Constitution does give us the Right to Liberty to choose whom we want to marry or have a live-in relationship with an individual at our own will, but as a society the acceptance is still not prevalent among the majority. 

Live- in relationships are not illegal in the country, but are considered absolutely immoral. But the concept of live-in relationships is not new to Indians, as in ancient times, it was known as maitri-karar in which a written agreement was made between people of two opposite sex that they would live together as friends and look after each other.

Similarly, Gandharva marriage which is one of the eight Hindu marriages as per the Vedic beliefs is purely based on love and passion. According to this kind of marriage a boy and a girl can start living together once they find each other suitable without the need of the consent of their parents. The only criteria is couples fondness towards each other. 

Irrespective of the taboo in the society there are certain communities and tribes who still have been practicing live-in since decades. One such tradition known as 'dhuku marriage' is practiced in Jharkhand, where the tribal community without any social acceptance and legal rights stay with a man in a relationship, bearing their children without getting married. 

This is an Adivasi tradition, where a man 'Dhukua' and the woman is recognised as ‘Dhukni’.

But this type of tradition is not followed because of the fondness of partners but is practiced because of financial restraints, as most people belonging to these tribes do not have enough resources to feed an entire village, which is why their marriage is not allowed. 

Hence these tribal people are not left with any other option, hence they then enter into a live-in relationship, which although provides them with companionship but the respect they deserve is not given to them.

to be continued..

https://www.pixstory.com/story/part-2-villages-more-progressive-than-the-rest-of-india-1638260720/55475