"Dutee wants to marry a girl, who is the daughter of my niece, so she is my grand-daughter. In this relation, Dutee will be like a mother of that girl. Then how will it be possible in our society in Odisha," Akhoji told ANI.
Two days after sprinter Dutee Chand disclosed her same-sex relationship, the athlete on Tuesday alleged that she was forced to come out with the revelation as her sister was blackmailing her for a sum of twenty-five lakh rupees.
"My own sister is blackmailing me, she asked me for Rs 25 lakh. She had once beaten me, I'd reported to the police. Since she was blackmailing me, I was forced to come out about my relationship," said the Asian Games medalist.
Dutee's elder sister Saraswati Chand on Monday told ANI that the sprinter's partner "pressurised and blackmailed" her for wealth and property.
"With great sorrow, I have to say that the decision taken by Dutee [to disclose her same-sex relationship] is not of her own. She's been pressurised and blackmailed into marriage by that girl and her family. All of this has been done to grab the property and wealth of Dutee," Saraswati Chand, elder of Dutee, said on Monday.
"Dutee's life and property are in danger. That's why I request the government to provide protection and security to Dutee," she had added.
Dutee, who has been hailed for her revelation, is facing a tough battle of acceptance in her family. On Monday, her mother Akhoji Chand told ANI that it was not possible for her to accept her daughter's relationship status.
"Dutee wants to marry a girl, who is the daughter of my niece, so she is my grand-daughter. In this relation, Dutee will be like the mother of that girl. Then how will it be possible in our society in Odisha," said Akhoji.
1. 'She is an adult'
When asked if the family is supportive of Dutee's relation, Saraswati said, "She is an adult. It's her decision whether she wants to marry a girl or a boy. But Dutee has been forced to speak all this. Otherwise, a decision about marriage could have been discussed later."
2. 'Miring her in controversy'
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"Those people who claim to have played a role in Dutee's success are the culprits. It's them who are deviating her from sports and miring her into controversy. She's been led into a trap. Instead of focusing on the 2020 Olympics and World Championship, she's been dragged into this. Every government department has been encouraging her for sports," she added.
"When a child excels, family members are happy. They get social prestige and people congratulate parents as well. On the contrary, if a child commits wrong deeds then the only family will take the responsibility," Saraswati opined.
Dutee was hailed for her revelation with social media users praising her courage. Apart from her other achievements, she had made the country proud by clinching two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games.
3. 'How will society accept', asks mother
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Sprinter Dutee Chand, who recently came out about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative is facing a tough battle of acceptance in her family.
After her elder sister Saraswati's alleged that Dutee is being pressurised and blackmailed, the athlete's mother Akhoji Chand told ANI, that it is not possible for her to accept her daughter's relationship status.
"Dutee wants to marry a girl, who is the daughter of my niece, so she is my grand-daughter. In this relation, Dutee will be like a mother of that girl. Then how will it be possible in our society in Odisha," Akhoji told ANI.
"I told her (Dutee) that I cannot accept this. She told me that the court has given the order. When I asked which court has given you such order, she told me that High court. I told her that I'm alive here and you are bringing orders from the court. She told me that yes court has given order and all the mentors are supporting me. (She asked) whether you will support me or not. I asked which Sir, Shiv Sir, Gagan Sir or Samanta sir, Achyut Samant of KIIT college," she said.
4. Neighbour says' personal and sensitive'
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"She told that I'll do everything by the help of them. I told her that I'll like to talk to them, but she avoided it. So day before yesterday, I told my elder daughter Saraswati that I don't know where they are staying, you take me to them. Saraswati took me to them but he (Achyut Samant of KIIT) had already left for Delhi and yesterday when all these things were happening."
"I want that she (Dutee) should focus on her sports as the government wants. Government has given a lot of money to her for the sake of the country. Dutee may not keep father and mother's name but she should keep the prestige of the nation through her sports," Akhoji added.
Meanwhile, Ananata Charan Das, one of the neighbours, said, "I have no opinion (on this matter). It is personal and sensitive. The Supreme Court has decided one can marry (same-sex)... a girl can marry a girl. So, it may be possible in society and in front of law but I can't appreciate it because our villagers won't like this."
When asked if there is any conspiracy, he said, "I feel some conspiracy may have happened to exploit her property and income. There may be some enemies behind it who may have created a conspiracy. Dutee should avoid this matter and should focus on her sports career."
Dutee, the 100m record holder, was hailed for her brave revelation by social media users. The sprinter had made the country proud by clinching two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games.
