Kidnapping a young girl is not an offence in some remote areas of Kishtwar district in Jammu. Kidnapping a girl and then tying the nuptial knot with her is an age-old tradition in the Gandhari area of Paddar Tehsil of Kishtwar.

Commonly known as “pithchuk” in local dialect, this tradition of kidnapping a girl was earlier common in many parts of the Gandhari area, located just near the Pangi belt of Himachal Pradesh.

As per this tradition, a youth first kidnaps his would-be bride and after marrying her takes her to his house on his back.

The word “pithchuk” is considered to be a combination of the Dogri and Himachali languages. In Dogri language, "pith" means back and "chuk" means to pick up. An abductor in this belt is commonly known as “pithchuki”.

The kidnapped girl, too, has the right to reject or accept the proposal of the boy who abducts her from her village. If the boy of one village likes a girl of the other village, he is at liberty to enter the village and bring the girl to his home after carrying her on his back, says a local.

The kidnapped girl is then offered food at his house and if she accepts the food offered by her abductor, then the marriage is solemnised. Else, the kidnapper becomes an offender in village panchayat and is penalised with a "dand" (penalty).

As soon as the girl accepts food, the kidnapper has to arrange liquor and food for the villagers. On the other hand, parents of the kidnapped girl start searching for their daughter.

After tracing their girl, parents first of all inquire whether she has accepted the food or not. If they get a positive reply, then both the families hold discussions and solemnise the marriage of the kidnapper and the kidnapped.

According to some elderly people of Paddar, this tradition was earlier common in many parts of this belt, but today the "pithchuk" custom continues in some odd villages where villagers are illiterate and unaware of developments of modern world.

SOURCE: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081122/jkplus1.htm#4