India: Cash reward for inter-caste marriages

31 Jan BBC

An Indian state is trying to promote inter-caste marriages by offering a cash incentive, it's reported.

The government in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, is offering newlyweds 50,000 rupees ($810; £530) and throwing in a medal and certificate too, the Times of India reports.

There's only one condition - either the bride or groom must belong to one of India's “scheduled castes”.

The term refers to those on the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system, who are officially considered socially disadvantaged.

Inter-caste marriages are still considered taboo in India, and there have been cases of couples being murdered by their own families - so-called honour killings - as a result of mixed relationships.