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5. The marriage between the Appellant and the Respondent was solemnized on 02.02.1998. The factum of solemnization of marriage remains undisputed in the present matter. On 13.03.1999, a child was born out of the said wedlock. The Appellant has asserted in his Affidavit, Examination in Chief dated March 2023 that the parties was performed in accordance with the rites and customs prevalent in the Lambada (Banjara) Community, and not strictly as per Hindu religious ceremonies. He deposed as follows:

9. That the Lambada tribal community has been sufficiently hinduised and are not completely separate from Hindu culture or traditions."

(Emphasis Supplied)

7. In view of the aforestated facts, as corroborated from the respective contentions of the parties, the primary issue in dispute pertains to the mode and validity of the alleged solemnization of marriage. The Respondent asserts that the marriage was performed in accordance with Hindu rites and ceremonies, whereas the Appellant contends that it was solemnized in accordance with the customary practices prevalent among the Lambada community.

essential Hindu marriage ceremonies was not rebutted in cross- examination. On the contrary, the Appellant‟s focus remained on asserting that the Lambada community was not Hinduized, without contradicting the performance of these rites.

Findings & Analysis:

11. The principal question that arose for consideration before the Learned Family Court was whether the parties, being members of the "Lambada (Banjara)" community, had assimilated Hindu rites and customs to such an extent that the provisions of the HMA would be applicable to their marriage. This Court has further undertaken a detailed analysis of the matter by dividing the issues into four principal components.

(Emphasis Supplied)

21. The Respondent further relied upon expert literature and ethnographic studies demonstrating that the "Lambada (Banjara) community", though historically a Scheduled Tribe, has undergone a gradual process of Hinduisation. It was shown that their social and religious ceremonies, particularly those pertaining to marriage, have assimilated significant elements of Hindu rituals. It is evident to say that „the present system is an admix of Lambada and Hindu systems". For this purpose, this Court places reliance upon the International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, Vol. 6, Issue 4, published in July-August 2021, titled "Impact of Urbanization on the Lambada Tribe in Telangana." The relevant portion is reproduced as under: