Two Votes, One Paycheck: The Remarkable Story of Sohna and Mohna Singh, Punjab’s Conjoined Twins

Amritsar, Punjab – On a rainy Saturday morning in January 2022, Sohna Singh and Mohna Singh prepared for another day at work. Like any other electricians, they grabbed their tools and an umbrella, ready to brave the weather. But their story is unlike any other: Sohna and Mohna are conjoined twins, sharing a body but living as two distinct individuals.

A Life of Coordination and Resilience

Born in June 2003 at Sucheta Kriplani Hospital in New Delhi, Sohna and Mohna were abandoned by their parents, who couldn’t cope with their unique condition. They were adopted and raised by the All India Pingalwara Charitable Society in Amritsar, which provided them with care, education, and a sense of belonging.

The twins are joined at the torso, sharing a pair of legs, a gallbladder, spleen, liver, urinary tract, and excretory system. Yet, they each have their own hearts, kidneys, spinal cords, and two pairs of arms. Doctors determined early on that separation was impossible; the risks were too high, and only one twin could have legs if they tried.

Despite these challenges, Sohna and Mohna have mastered the art of coordination. Whether tying shoelaces, picking up an umbrella, or fixing electrical switchboards, their four hands and two minds work in perfect harmony—often completing tasks faster than most people.

From Passion to Profession

From an early age, Sohna and Mohna were fascinated by electrical appliances. They would often skip classes just to watch electricians at work, driven by curiosity and a love for tinkering. This passion led them to pursue a diploma in electrical studies.

Their talent didn’t go unnoticed. During a visit to a training center, officials from Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) were impressed by the twins’ skills and offered them a job. However, only Sohna was officially recruited and paid a monthly salary of Rs 20,000 (about $245 USD). Mohna was asked to sign a “no objection” letter, stating he had no issue with not being formally employed or paid.

Despite the paperwork, both twins work together every day, performing the duties of two employees with unmatched efficiency.

Two Votes, But Only One Salary

The twins’ case has sparked a debate: Should they be treated as one person or two?

In February 2020, as Punjab held its assembly elections, the Election Commission of India recognized Sohna and Mohna as separate individuals, granting each a voting right. Both received separate voter ID cards and cast their votes independently.

This recognition stands in stark contrast to their employment situation. While the government acknowledges their individuality in the voting booth, their employer only recognizes one of them for salary purposes.

Disability rights activists and legal experts have weighed in. Dr. Satendra Singh, a prominent activist, argues, “If Sohna and Mohna have two voter IDs, they should be treated as two people for two jobs.” Senior advocate Sanjoy Ghose points out that while compassionate appointments may bypass standard selection rules, ethical and moral dilemmas remain—especially if one twin’s abilities are restricted by their circumstances.

Global Parallels and Ongoing Questions

This isn’t an isolated case. In the United States, conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel were hired as elementary school teachers, with both names on the contract and their salary split. In India, other conjoined twins like Sabah and Farah have also received separate voting rights after years of being treated as a single entity.

The situation forces society to confront difficult questions: How do we define individuality and fairness for people with unique physical circumstances? Should legal recognition of individuality extend to all aspects of life—including employment and compensation?

Dreams Beyond the Debate

Through it all, Sohna and Mohna remain optimistic and driven. Their passion for electrical work has become their profession, and they continue to dream big—hoping one day to become famous singers, inspired by stars like Arijit Singh and Shankar Mahadevan.

They face life’s challenges with remarkable grace. “We don’t fight or argue,” Sohna says. “If I think of anything, I just tell him and so does he. That’s how we get the work done.” Their coordination is so seamless that they often finish each other’s sentences, speaking in perfect unison.

Despite predictions of a short lifespan, Sohna and Mohna defied the odds. “Look at us, we are 19 and alive,” they say proudly. Their ultimate wish is to be remembered—not as a medical anomaly, but as Sohna-Mohna, the conjoined twins who showed the world what true partnership looks like.

A Story That Inspires and Challenges

Sohna and Mohna’s journey is more than a tale of survival—it’s a story that challenges society’s definitions of identity, fairness, and compassion. As they continue to work, vote, and chase their dreams, they ask us all to reconsider what it means to be seen, heard, and valued.

“We want the world to remember us,” they say, “as Sohna-Mohna, the conjoined twins.”