‘Inter-state’ instead of ‘inter-caste’: Brahmin NGOs ally to find UP brides for Karnataka boys

Mysuru, Nov 12: The shortage of “suitable brides” in the community is one of the biggest challenges faced the Brahmins in Karnataka. They fear that the inevitable inter-caste marriages may further reduce the population of ‘pure Brahmins’ in this south Indian state. This is not a fresh crisis. For decades, traditional Brahmin families in this region have been struggling to find the right match for eligible grooms, especially for puritans.

In order to address this shortage, two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have come up with an ‘inter-state’ solution. A delegation of Kendriya Brahmana Mahasabha from UP’s Varanasi has come to Karnataka to discuss the modalities with the local Brahmins. In fact, the initiative was launched by the Mysuru-based Vipra Paraspara Sahaya Samithi led by educationist H V Rajeev, who terms it ‘Ganga-Cauvery Sammilana.’

The Varanasi delegation led by its president Kamalaksha Upadhyaya received an overwhelming response as nearly 500 parents turned up for a brainstorming session organized in Mysuru on Saturday. Interacting with the parents, Upadhyaya stated that families in Varanasi are ready to enter into a matrimonial alliance with their counterparts in Mysuru.

"Brides from Varanasi are willing to wed men engaged in the traditional occupation in Mysuru. We want these marriages to be simple, devoid of dowry demands. Besides, both the NGOs will give a guarantee to the bride's family that their daughter will be looked after properly and that there will not be any matrimonial dispute," he said. Marriage proposals will be finalised only after the horoscope or kundali matching is done, he added.

Laying emphasis on the need for such an inter-state alliance to help the young Brahmins fulfill their ‘grihastashrama (householders' stage) responsibilities, Rajeev said that due to changed social circumstances many Brahmin men are ageing as bachelors. "In Maharashtra, the Brahmin population is 11%. In Uttar Pradesh, it’s 17%. But in Karnataka, it is a minuscule 2%," he said, explaining the rationale for looking northwards for numbers.

The local parents, who took part in the session enquired on how to send marriage proposals, how the young men and women could meet each other, marriage customs etc. They also discussed cultural differences, which may become an obstacle in the later stage of a marriage. It was decided that Anuraga Matrimony, which is operating in Bengaluru and Mysuru, will provide a platform for families from both the cities over finalising proposals.