Girls hesitate to wed Brahmin priests

Vedic scholars need to follow some traditions in daily life

Despite the offer of `75,000 assistance, Brahmin girls are unwilling to marry purohits and archakas.

The AP Brahmin Welfare Corporation (APBWC) is therefore rejigging its Kalyanamasthu scheme, which offers certain benefits in the fields of education, employment and conservation of Vedic culture.

With education and employment becoming a key part of life, most Brahmin girls are focussing on their career and are unwilling to marry purohits and archakas.

Following this, the APBWC introduced the Kalyanamasthu scheme under which it offered `75,000 to the bride if she married a Vedic scholar.

The scheme did not receive much response, with very few girls settled in rural areas expressing their willingness in marrying Vedic scholars.

Vedic scholars have to follow certain traditions as part of their life as an archaka. As a result, girls are unwilling to marry them even if the boy earns a good amount of money. They instead prefer to get educated grooms with regular employment.

“There are several other customs including maintaining of social distance during the menstrual cycle and at certain other times. But girls nowadays are not willing to follow the same,” said Poodipeddi Lakshmana Rao Sharma, a senior Vedic scholar.“One cannot question the freedom of girls. But, we need to conserve our culture too. Instead of taking unilateral decisions, the Brahmin Welfare Corporation must convene meetings before deciding on various schemes, including Kalyanamasthu, and take the advice of all stakeholders,” observed senior Vedic scholar Krishnaraya Deekshitulu.

MLA and AP Brahmin Welfare Corporation chairman Malladi Vishnu said they have decided to revamp the corporation’s schemes, so that they serve the interests of beneficiaries in a realistic way.