Kissing or public display of affection (PDA) is criticised, look down and considered a taboo in Indian society. However, possibly for the first time in the country a public event was organised in Jharkhand’s Pakur district, where the lip-lock was cherished as a sport to celebrate love between married couples.
The kissing competition was organised in Pakur’s Dumaria village, around 321 kilometers from state capital Ranchi, by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Littipara legislator Simon Marandi on Saturday night. The village where the competition was organised is also his native.
The kissing competition was exclusively for married couples only. According to people who witnessed the competition first of its kind in the state said, “Around 20 married couples participated in the competition.”
The MLA talking to media said, “The competition has been organised to increase bond between couples and check growing divorce cases among the tribals.”
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The legislator firmly believes that such competitions will increase bond between couples.
The kissing competition was for the first time introduced to the annual fair. The legislator has been organising it since last 37 years. The fair witnesses a series of cultural and sports events including archery and running competition.
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However, the kissing competition cherished by thousands of villagers, did not go well with Jharkhand ruling party BJP.
A senior BJP leader of Jharkhand said, “Marandi is making mockery of tribal culture. There are other ways to improve bond between the couples.”
The leader added, "JMM leaders are trying to pollute minds of innocent tribals with foreign culture and public display of love."