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Indian brides given bats to keep abusive husbands in check | Indian brides given bats to keep abusive husbands in check |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Hundreds of brides at an Indian mass wedding have been given wooden bats and urged to use them as weapons if their husbands turn abusive. | Hundreds of brides at an Indian mass wedding have been given wooden bats and urged to use them as weapons if their husbands turn abusive. |
Messages such as "for use against drunkards" are written on the paddles, which measure about 40cm (15in) and are more traditionally used for laundry. | Messages such as "for use against drunkards" are written on the paddles, which measure about 40cm (15in) and are more traditionally used for laundry. |
Gopal Bhargava, a state minister in Madhya Pradesh, said he wanted to highlight the issue of domestic abuse. | |
He told the women to try to reason with their husbands before using them. | He told the women to try to reason with their husbands before using them. |
But if their spouses refuse to listen, they should let the paddles - known as mogri and usually used to beat dirt out of clothes - "do the talking", he said. | But if their spouses refuse to listen, they should let the paddles - known as mogri and usually used to beat dirt out of clothes - "do the talking", he said. |
Savings 'spent on liquor' | Savings 'spent on liquor' |
Mr Bhargava posted pictures of the brides with the bats on his Facebook page. | Mr Bhargava posted pictures of the brides with the bats on his Facebook page. |
He told AFP news agency that he had become concerned about the numbers of rural women who faced abuse from alcoholic husbands. | He told AFP news agency that he had become concerned about the numbers of rural women who faced abuse from alcoholic husbands. |
"Women say whenever their husbands get drunk they become violent. Their savings are taken away and splurged on liquor," he said. | "Women say whenever their husbands get drunk they become violent. Their savings are taken away and splurged on liquor," he said. |
"There is no intent to provoke women or instigate them to violence but the bat is to prevent violence." | "There is no intent to provoke women or instigate them to violence but the bat is to prevent violence." |
You might also find these stories interesting: | You might also find these stories interesting: |
Mr Bhargava, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, says he has ordered 10,000 bats in total. | Mr Bhargava, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, says he has ordered 10,000 bats in total. |
Nearly 700 brides received them at a mass marriage ceremony in his hometown of Garhakota at the weekend. | Nearly 700 brides received them at a mass marriage ceremony in his hometown of Garhakota at the weekend. |
Mass weddings are offered in India to help low income couples tie the knot without having to pay for their own event. | Mass weddings are offered in India to help low income couples tie the knot without having to pay for their own event. |
Local media suggested it was a move to garner support ahead of state elections next year. | Local media suggested it was a move to garner support ahead of state elections next year. |
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