Mass marriages in India have been used by communities to help parents with inadequate resources to manage the colossal expenses demanded by cultural norms incurred in hosting a wedding, especially since the bride’s parents are the ones who bear the costs of the ceremony. Added to this is the omnipresence of the social custom of dowry, paid by the bride’s parents pay for the alliance to the groom’s family.
Hence, social organizations have over the years engaged in this practice of community marriages where young couples solemnize their wedding at communal functions which not only reduce the cost of the wedding but often are also free.
The success of such events has meant that state governments and political groups have also joined the fray. As a consequence mass marriages in recent years have constantly courted controversy like instances of minor girls being married off at such functions.
The latest in a series of such controversies was generated at a mass wedding in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh where hundreds of would-be brides reportedly underwent virginity tests, tests they were informed of only when they reached the venue. Many were apparently bullied into the ‘medical examination’ as they were told that their refusal would mean that they would be denied their wedding gifts worth 6,500 rupees (approximately $132) and even the wedding ceremony. Under the state-run scheme marriages are solemnized free of cost, all arrangements are made by the district administration and every couple is also provided assistance in the form of household articles.
Each woman underwent an extensive physical examination before being given a special badge which allowed them to participate in the ceremony. Almost all of the prospective brides who were from poor, tribal families complained of the shame and humiliation they felt following the exercise.
watch video
No comments:
Post a Comment