Paper short abstract:

Sociology defines caste as unchangeable status which bestow by birth.becoming Dalit to non-Dalit is almost impossible in Hindu caste system but this paper delves into how power elite can change from Dalit to non-Dalit caste with the case study of inter-caste married couples of Madhesi community.

Paper long abstract:

Mainzan system, particularly the one practiced amongst the caste groups from Madheshi community is a custom of selecting head of community by respective caste members. The nominated head takes role in solving the problems which may arise from time to time in the community. One of the roles performed by the head relates to deciding the fate of couples that have eloped after inter-caste marriage. When any community member elopes with a Dalit girl the Mainzan decided the fate of couple; he either rejects the couple from his community or accepts the Dalit bride with some conditions. To accept the Dalit bride Mainzan must uplift her caste status. After the bride becomes non-Dalit, her relationship with her maternal family also changes and needs to treat differently. This paper delves into such incidences through case study of inter-caste married couples of Madhesi community in Nepal. It focuses on the Dalit and non-Dalit's familial relationship, the conditions such couples need to fulfill after accepting marriage, and the problems they face. On the one hand, non-Dalit cannot imagine the marital relationship with Dalit, and on the other hand, when such a situation takes place they cannot boycott them from their family. The paper juxtaposes the outcomes of agency versus structure and the relationship between Dalit and non-Dalit.

Keywords: Mainzan, Dalit and non-Dalit, marriage, couple, family and society.