Hyderabad’s bride market is infamous for illegal activities.
Relationships for marriage are finalized through acquaintances or after meeting face-to-face, but nowadays people search for life partners through online sites due to lack of time and other problems. In search of a better life partner, people create their profile on a matrimonial site online, in this, a conversation starts with whichever boy or girl matches your profile and if everything goes well, it leads to marriage. Doctors, engineers and all kinds of people participate on these sites.
But today we are going to tell you about the bridal market of Hyderabad. Such a story of this bride market has come to light, which has created a sensation in the country. Here girls are bought for marriage by paying money. Rich old men from Gulf countries marry these girls online and invite them to their countries. But what happens to them after this is horrifying. Hyderabad’s bride market, infamous for illegal activities for years, has now become active on online platforms as well. Police and social workers have revealed that this illegal racket, which earlier operated in a hidden and limited area, is now spreading very fast through the internet.
Sexual abuse happens after marriage
Through this bridal market, marriages are now done not in hotels and halls but on ‘Whatsapp’. Most of the grooms are rich, wealthy businessmen from Oman, Qatar and Bahrain who pay money to marry young girls. After the nikah, the brides are sent to their husbands on tourist visas where they are sexually exploited. Girls and women from poor and weaker sections are targeted in the Hyderabad bride market. They are lured with false promises, dreams of better lifestyle and money. These girls are then sold in the name of marriage to rich people in different parts of the country and in some cases even at the international level.
20-30 marriages taking place every month
According to a Times of India report, a 22-year-old girl, Fatima (name changed), had married a man three times her age for the treatment of her grandmother and to educate her sister. The girl told that her marriage was fixed on video-conference. Had promised to give him Rs 2 lakh and take him to Oman. Fatima was called to Mysuru, Karnataka with agents for the Nikah. The two agents had arranged for Fatima’s video-conference marriage inside an SUV in exchange for Rs 1 lakh. But after this the deal got canceled and now he will have to wait till the next proposal comes.
A broker told TOI that photographs of girls aged between 18 and 25 are shared with businessmen from Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. Once the match is finalized, the marriage ceremony is performed over video call with the Qazi. According to reports, at least 20 to 30 such marriages are taking place every month.
Conducting illegal activities through online platforms
According to the police, the gang is now conducting its illegal activities through social media, dating sites and other online platforms, reports Times of India. With the help of fake profiles and websites, they are targeting girls and their families.
Serious threat to women’s safety and freedom
Cyber Crime Division of Hyderabad Police is keeping a close watch on this racket. Recently some suspicious websites have also been closed. Many arrests have been made in this case so far, but due to the deep roots of this racket, it will take some time to completely eliminate it. These developments are a matter of grave concern not only for Hyderabad, but for the entire country. Due to the speed with which this racket is spreading online, there is a serious threat to the safety and freedom of women.
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