Tribal leader opposes mass-marriages with Hindu rituals

A tribal leader has opposed mass marriage programs with Hindu rituals under the Madhya Pradesh government's 'Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana'.
"The marriage rituals of tribal communities are different. But the mass marriages under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana are being performed according to Hindu rituals. So we are opposing such marriages," said Dr Dhaneshwar Naag, a tribal leader who is a doctor by profession.
About 1100 couples, including those from local tribal community, are set to tie the knot at a program organised under the scheme at Sendhwa in Khargone district on February 19.
Dr Naag claimed that traditionally marriages in the local tribal community take place only after Holi.

Naag said he and some others had submitted a memorandum to the President of India seeking his intervention to protect the cultural heritage of the local tribals.
But a local BJP leader denied Naag's claims.

"Some people are opposing it due to vested political interests. There is no such tradition among Bhils (local community) that marriages are to be held only after Holi. The marriages under this scheme are conducted as per the prevailing rituals," BJP tribal cell's local unit president Dashrath Kalme said.
District administration said it was not aware of any opposition.
"The families get registered themselves for marriages under the scheme," said deputy director, Panchayat and Social Justice Department, B C Jain.

Under the Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojana, financial help is given to the poor families for marrying off daughters, widows or divorcees. An assistance of Rs 15,000 is given for household items and marriage expenses.