dharna

[ dahr-nuh, duhr- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(in India) the practice of exacting justice or compliance with a just demand by sitting and fasting at the doorstep of an offender until death or until the demand is granted.

dharna

/ ˈdʌnə; ˈdɑː- /

(in India) a method of obtaining justice, as the payment of a debt, by sitting, fasting, at the door of the person from whom reparation is sought

Origin of dharna¹

1785–95; < Hindi: placing

Origin of dharna¹

C18: from Hindi, literally: a placing

The word dharna means ‘to place or lay on,’ and hence ‘a pledge.’

Another custom known as dharna is that of a suppliant placing a stone on the shrine of a god or tomb of a saint.

If a woman greatly desires a child she will go to a shrine and lay a stone on it which she calls the dharna or deposit or pledge.

An Indian custom of Dharna is of similar significance, though less violent.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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