SC/ST Communities: Diversity and Identity
Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) together comprise approximately 25–26% of India's population — over 350 million people. These are not monolithic groups but diverse communities across the length and breadth of India, each with distinct languages, traditions, and customs.
SC communities include Chamar/Jatav (UP, Rajasthan), Mahar (Maharashtra), Mala (Andhra), Paraiyar/Dalit (Tamil Nadu), Dhobi, Balmiki, and hundreds of others. ST communities include Santali (Jharkhand/Bengal), Gond (MP/Chhattisgarh), Bhil (Rajasthan/Gujarat), Munda (Jharkhand), Naga, Mizo, and hundreds of indigenous groups from Northeast India to the Andaman islands.
Marriage Traditions in SC Communities
SC communities across India have historically maintained their own distinct marriage traditions, many of which are older than, or parallel to, "mainstream" Hindu practices. These include:
Bol Vivah or Community Ceremony: Many SC communities perform community weddings (group marriages) organised by community organisations — a practical and economical tradition.
Ambedkarite Buddhist Influence: A significant proportion of SC communities (especially in Maharashtra) follow Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's path and have converted to Buddhism. Their weddings follow the Ambedkarite Buddhist ceremony rather than Hindu rites.
Regional Customs: Most SC communities have their own regional wedding songs, dances, and rituals that differ from upper-caste Hindu ceremonies but share the common structure of community gathering, exchange of vows, and celebration.
Legal Protections and Inter-Community Marriage
The Indian Constitution (Articles 15, 17) and the Protection of Civil Rights Act prohibit caste-based discrimination. Special Marriage Act (1954) allows inter-caste and inter-faith marriages without religious ceremonies.
The Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriage provides a financial incentive (₹2.5 lakh) to couples where one partner is from an SC community and the other is from a non-SC Hindu community. This is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
VaidikVivah does not discriminate based on caste. All communities are welcome on the platform. SC and ST profiles receive the same review, verification, and matching features as all other profiles.