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But Rampher Prasad of Chatrapati Shahuji Maharajnagar district in Uttar Pradesh has got his wife of 20 years, mother to four children, married to her lover Kumai Ram. The two men will live under the same roof and will be husbands to Dhanpati.
The second marriage of Dhanpati was solemnised with her lover Kumai Ram at Dih in the district a couple of days ago with much fanfare. Rampher and his children along with hundreds of villagers attended the ceremony. He also held a grand feast to celebrate the occasion.
According to reports, Rampher was married to Dhanpati about two decades ago. A few years after marriage, Rampher shifted to Delhi to work, leaving his family in the village. Employed as a daily wager in the national capital, Rampher could barely eke out a living.
Back home, a neighbour, Kumai Ram used to help out Dhanpati and her children with money in times of need. His generosity drew Dhanpati close to him. In Rampher’s absence, Dhanpati and Kumai Ram began virtually living together. When he came to know about their affair, Rampher initially tried to persuade his wife to break off the relationship, but Dhanpati refused flatly.
Rampher then preferred to make a compromise. He spoke to Kumai and got him to agree to marry Dhanpati. He also spoke Dhanpati’s parents and other relatives and got them round to agree to the marriage.
The two husbands have decided to jointly bear the expenses of the family and live under one roof.
“We will together take care of the family and try to keep Dhanpati happy,” Rampher said. He, however, admitted that he had no other option. “I could have punished Dhanpati and even thrown her out of the house, but then I thought of the children and decided to make a compromise,” said Rampher.