MYSURU: Even though caste discrimination still persists in the society, the rise in inter-caste marriages has been a light at the end of the tunnel in eradication of the social evil. The cultural capital Mysuru stands second in the state in inter-caste marriages after Bengaluru. The inter-caste marriages, which was earlier considered as a taboo, is now being acceptable in the society.
The recent data from the Social Welfare Department over couples applying for incentives shows that people are becoming more open to such marriages. In 2023-24, Mysuru district had documented 242 inter-caste marriages standing second to Bengaluru Urban with 720 unions. Even though there had been slight fluctuations in the number in 2022-23 with 253 unions in Mysuru, the number had been consistent. In 2021-22, the number was 226 unions while in 2020-21, it was 217 unions.
As per the statistics from the department, a total of 90 couples have received Rs 2.48 crore incentives by December 2023. Social Welfare Department assistant director Siddalingu told TNIE that there has been a growing acceptance of inter-caste marriages in the society.
“The department has received 143 fresh applications from couples who had inter-caste marriage this year for incentives in Mysuru taluk. The incentives will be allocated based on seniority. The amount will be credited directly to the joint bank account of the couples,” he said. While Rs 3 lakh incentive will be given to women belonging to Scheduled Caste who had married to a man from another caste, Rs 2.5 lakh will be given to SC man married to girl from other castes.
However, the district witnessed less cases of intra-caste marriages, widow re-marriage and simple marriages. While 13 applications have been received for intra-caste marriages, just one application has been received for widow re-marriage and 19 applications for simple marriage. According to statistics, nine couples have received Rs 18 lakh for intra-caste marriage, six couples have received Rs 18 lakh for re-marriage while 32 couples have received Rs 16 lakh incentive for having simple marriage till the end of December 2023.Manava Mantapa is a platform for inter-caste marriages without any vedic rituals or chanting of Sanskrit hymns as per the concept advocated by Kannada poet Kuvempu.
Manava Mantapafounder Ugranarashime Gowda said, “The Supreme Court in its order in June 2006 had directed all state governments to promote inter-caste marriages, initiate stringent action against those who obstruct such marriages and provide protection to couples by the police. Manava Mantapa has conducted the highest inter-caste and inter-religion marriages in the country with nearly 900 marriages in 27 years,” he said.
Social Welfare Dept statistics-2023-24
For inter-caste marriages, 3,972 couples have applied in the state for incentives, of which the highest of 720 are from Bengaluru Urban, 242 from Mysuru and 217 from S’mogga dist.
For intra-caste marriages , a total of 414 couples have applied for incentives, of which the highest of 42 are from Kalaburagi, 41 from Belagavi and 13 from Mysuru.
For widow remarriages, 57 couples have applied, of which the highest of 14 are from Yadgir, 11 from Kalaburagi and one from Mysuru.
For simple marriages, total-751 applications, 188 from Bidar, 116 from Raichur but just 19 applications from Mysuru.