Man sues son for marrying ‘beneath him’

A father in eastern India is suing his only son for defamation after he married a woman from a lower caste, saying that he has damaged his reputation and social standing.

Sidhnath Sharma is seeking 10,000,000 rupees (€116,483) in damages from his son, Sushant Jasu, and wants to prevent him from using the family surname, with a court hearing set to resume this weekend in Bihar state.

Sharma, a lawyer from the upper-caste Bhumihar group, said the marriage last year broke 400-odd years of tradition.

Sharma is taking the legal action despite the fact that the majority of his family, including Jasu’s mother, agree with the marriage.

Jasu declined to comment on the case.