Hundreds of brides 'forced to take virginity test at Indian mass wedding in crackdown on people fraudulently claiming gifts'

Witnesses say 450 women had to undergo the testing allegedly organised by the Madhya Pradesh government
The government has denied virginity testing but said it was wanted to ensure no woman was pregnant

PUBLISHED: 16:23 EST, 10 June 2013 | UPDATED: 16:25 EST, 10 June 2013

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Hundreds of women in India are believed to have been forced to take virginity and pregnancy tests ahead of a mass marriage ceremony

Hundreds of women in India are believed to have been forced to take virginity and pregnancy tests ahead of a mass marriage ceremony.

Witnesses say around 450 women had to undergo the testing in the district of Betul which was organised by the Madhya Pradesh government.

The Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna wedding ceremony is paid for by the government and helps women from poor families to marry.

But according to the Times of India, women were made to have the tests allegedly on government orders because it believes women are taking part in the ceremony to receive gifts.

Nine women were reportedly found to be pregnant and banned from the ceremony.

But government officials deny virginity tests took place. They said the tests had been to ensure the women were not pregnant.

In India, a bride's virginity is highly prized and pre-marital sex is frowned upon.

India's National Commission for Women is now calling for the Madhya Pradesh government to explain itself.

Girija Vyas, chairperson of the Indian National Commission for Women, said: 'Such a shameful act where girls had to reportedly undergo tests to prove their chastity to avail the government's financial aid were sinful and could not be tolerated in a sane society.

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Rajest Prasad Mishra, Betul district collector, added: 'I have given the orders to probe the complaints on alleged virginity and pregnancy tests conducted on would-be-brides.'

Government officials deny virginity tests took place but said they did test to ensure the women were not pregnant

In 2009, more than 150 women were allegedly tested on government orders.

Mass marriages, generally organised by social organisations, are common in India where the custom of dowry is still widespread.

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Comments (9)

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I wonder what the gender was of the person carrying out the Tests

- Wee Jock McPlop , Scotland, 11/6/2013 06:21

Click to rate Rating 89

What ever to be rid of the criminals and fraud marriages.

- Bhupendra , Bhuj-Kutch-India, 11/6/2013 05:51

Click to rate Rating 36

"Nine women were reportedly found to be pregnant and banned from the ceremony." --- Well, I think most readers here will agree that there's nothing wrong with that. If a woman is pregnant, then whoever is marrying her should not be deceived in such a way. I find this ceremony tradition to be a bit odd, though, it's not my place to judge. It may seem like the oppression of women if they are marrying complete strangers - but it would appear that the men are also marrying complete strangers. By the way, any 'virginity tests' for the men, or how about STD tests? If women are to be tested for virginity and pregnancy, then reason would have it that men should also be tested for their sexual virtues?

- Somewhere over here , Mississauga, 11/6/2013 02:18

Click to rate Rating 71

that´s needed in america and europe

- tom , ohio, United States, 11/6/2013 01:35

Click to rate Rating 39

I'm glad no one did this to me before my wedding, I think as i already had 3 children with my husband I wouldn't have been fooling anyone haha.

- Jessica , Preston, United Kingdom, 11/6/2013 00:49

Click to rate Rating 41

And what tests were given to the men? Because the women are doing it with someone somewhere!!! (this is all ridiculous)

- SoCalApril , los angeles, United States, 11/6/2013 00:30

Click to rate Rating 147

What is the test do the men get to prove they are virgins?

- joygrace , theworld, United States, 11/6/2013 00:27

Click to rate Rating 122

why isnt a mans virginity highly prized..i bet most of them have been around the block a few times..what hypocracy! and how demeaning for women..to be treated like merchandise. how backward and mysoginistic these countries are.women are so much more than their virginity...the men are too ignorant to see beyond body parts..which seem to be a traight in males globally but some do rise above that thankfully.

- STORM , UK, United Kingdom, 10/6/2013 23:56

Click to rate Rating 98

Ridiculous in this day and age! Who is to say that the person doing the testing is right and does not accuse a poor young girl wrongly.

- Mummy 3 , Adelaide, Australia, 10/6/2013 23:51

Click to rate Rating 55

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