The primitive custom called 'nata pratha' (relationship) among tribal communities in Rajasthan allows men and women to live together without marriage as many times as they want. A man – according to the custom – has to pay money to live with a woman to whom he is not married. And the amount is decided by the woman's parents and members of her community. They negotiate a price in thousands of rupees, but the money does not go to the woman who is undergoing 'nata'. Women's consent is never taken or even considered in this custom. The ancient practice was initially for men and women who were married or widowed, but is evolving to include single people as well. Women who go with another man are forced to abandon their children, who later face neglect, and physical and psychological abuse. Newsclick traveled to the tribal belts of Rajsamand district of Rajasthan and met women who got remarried several times against their will under 'Nata'.
