In many cultures, when a wife becomes pregnant, her husband typically showers her with love and care, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their child. However, in certain regions of Rajasthan, particularly in the village of Derasar, the scenario is quite different. Here, husbands often abandon their pregnant wives to seek out a second spouse.

This shocking reality raises eyebrows: how can someone consider marrying again while their wife is expecting? In some areas of Rajasthan, it is a known practice that when a daughter-in-law is pregnant, her husband may take another wife. Disturbingly, the women are often aware from the outset that this day will come.

Despite the progress made in eradicating various social evils, this custom persists in certain regions. In Derasar, it is customary for men to marry again before they become fathers. This tradition has roots in the severe water scarcity faced by the villagers, forcing women to travel long distances in extreme weather to fetch water.

As women become pregnant, their ability to carry out these demanding tasks diminishes. Consequently, husbands often marry a second wife to ensure that the responsibility of fetching water is transferred to her, allowing the first wife to focus on her health and well-being. According to the 2011 census, Derasar has a population of 596, with 309 men and 287 women.

The practice of polygamy has been entrenched in Derasar for years, and similar customs can be found in various villages across Maharashtra. In some cases, fetching water can take wives up to 10 to 12 hours, as they must traverse multiple villages. In Maharashtra, there are approximately 19,000 villages where these second wives are referred to as 'water wives.'

In another village, Dengamal, men may marry up to three times, with the rationale that one wife manages the household while the others are responsible for sourcing water. It is common to see younger women marrying older men, as they are perceived to be more capable of carrying heavy loads.

Even local authorities struggle to intervene in these practices, as polygamous marriages often occur with the consent of the first or second wife. This leaves officials feeling powerless to enact change.