Mangalore: VHP slams govt's marriage scheme for Muslim women

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SS)

Mangalore, Oct 30: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday October 30 alleged that the Congress government was being anti-secular, because of the initiatives taken by the government specifically towards welfare of Muslim women.

The state Congress government has initiated ‘Shaadibhagya’ scheme, under which a Muslim woman whose family income is less than Rs 1.5 lac per annum is given Rs 50,000 to meet her marriage expenses.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday, Dr P Ananthakrishna Bhat, district working president of VHP said, “The Article 51 of the Constitution says that 'the state shall not discriminate’, if so, how can the Congress be partial towards others by implementing this program only for Muslims?”

“Programmes and schemes must be implemented irrespective of caste or community; everyone pays tax thus everyone should be treated equally,” he added.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) divisional president M B Puranik said, “It would be appreciated if such schemes are enforced for people who are financially weak or poor, rather than catering only to Muslims. It is not fair on other communities and minorities in the state and moreover, such schemes are implemented with an intention to garner votes.”

“The Act against cow slaughtering was not only formed on religious grounds but also as it is essential for the livelihood of the dairy farmers and agriculturists; the former BJP government had promised to subsidize the cow protection programme but the existing Congress government has not alloted anything for this purpose,” he added.

"Moreover, it is learnt that as per the Shaadibhagya scheme, the state government will provide funds for the wedding, including amenities such as a coat, vessels, and a bed only for Muslim women, for their first marriage, second marriage, divorcee re-marriage and widow re-marriage, which is unfair," he said.

Sharan Pumpwell, convener of Bajrang Dal, Jagadish Shenava, district president of VHP, Gopal Kuthar, district secretary of VHP, and Jitendra S Kottari, district convener were present.