In a state blemished with an appalling sex ratio and notorious for its undemocratic Khap diktats, an increasing number of eligible bachelors are turning up with a resolve to tie the nuptial knot with victims of rape and sexual abuse.





The sudden leaning among youth to marry rape victims is gaining prominence in Haryana’s Sirsa district which is home to popular philanthropic sect Dera Sacha Sauda. The sect espouses an egalitarian ideology.



Taboo-free life

The developments come days after the sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh gave a call during one of his discourses to support girls and women who have suffered the brutality of rape and sexual abuse. It is also an attempt by the sect to help such victims regain their identity and lead a normal taboo-free life, where fostering is not limited rhetoric and lip service.



Consultant Ophthalmologist and chief spokesperson of the sect, Dr Aditya Insaan, said, “India has an inglorious record of suicides committed by rape victims. There have been several incidents where the families of the rape victims have entered suicide pacts and killed themselves en masse. It is fear of social ostracism, the despondency of losing the family honour.”



Sources in the sect said the number of volunteers willing to marry victims of rape is swelling with each day in passing.



The latest initiative by the Dera Sacha Sauda comes close on the heels of another successful endeavor undertaken by the Dera in which the sect chief had asked youth to come forward and marry sex workers. Over 1,500 youth have gotten registered to marry sex workers till date. Many have already gotten married and are leading a happy life under the patronage of the sect.



To take things forward, the trusted Dera members are reaching out to the victims of rape and their families, counseling them to make a fresh beginning by embracing a new life.



