Sex workers begin marital life in Sirsa today

Chandigarh: Marking a ray of hope for thousands of women trapped in sex trade, six sex workers will get married to men who have come forward to be their companion for life. The marriages will be solemnised at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa on Monday. Many Dera followers have contributed Rs 1 per day for a welfare corpus dedicated to rehabilitate these sex workers. After nearly two months, the amount is now in several lakhs of rupees. These sex workers, rescued from West Bengal, Delhi and Rajasthan, will live with their in-laws after marriage. “If the arrangement does not work or the parents of the groom backtrack from their commitment to accept them as their daughters-in-law, the Dera intends to set up a separate colony where the couple can live,” sect spokesperson Dr Aditya Insan told ,The identity of women is being concealed to avoid any possible attempt to ostracise the family. A few months ago, nearly 2,000 youths had volunteered to marry sex workers. Their consents have been supported by affidavits. Many among such youths are professionals, students of mass communication and business administration. Dr Aditiya Insan said, “These brides will have the option to pick up from a host of vocational courses run by the Dera. This will keep them occupied and offer them a decent livelihood.” A youth, who is marrying on Monday, said, “We are not marrying sex workers, their past is inconsequential to us.” Though the sect has come across many such women with children, the first six to-be-brides have no children. “These children will stay in the sect. We have a list of hundreds of families, including NRIs, who are willing to take care of expenses to bring them up,” Insan said.