Madhya Pradesh government has come under attack after newlywed couples found contraceptives in a make-up kit given to them to celebrate their wedding, Indian media reported on Tuesday.
On Monday, a mass wedding was organized by the state government: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah/Nikah Yojana (Marriage Scheme) in which hundreds of girls - especially from the economically weaker sections - marry the groom of their choice (or have an arranged marriage). It was participated by as many as 296 couples.
These newlyweds, however, received packets of contraceptives inside make-up boxes that were distributed on the occasion.
Bhursingh Rawat, a state official, denied that his department was responsible for the blunder. According to him, it is possible that health department officials could have distributed condoms and contraceptives as part of a "family-planning awareness programme."
The state opposition party, Congress, however, slammed the government in a tweet that included a video of the make-up kit.
"Shamelessness at its worst under Shiv'raj [the rule of state chief Shivraj]: The BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has distributed condoms and contraceptive pills in make-up boxes given under the Kanya Vivah Yojana. Shivraj ji, no shame left?" Congress vituperated.