Srinagar, July 16 -- Rubeena, 23, had never gone to school. Her remote village in Baramulla didn't have one when she was a child, and her father's sudden death during her childhood left the family too fragile to think about anything beyond survival.

Still, her mother had hoped. The state-run Marriage Assistance Scheme promised Rs.50,000 and five grams of gold to help poor girls begin their married lives with dignity.

But there was a catch: the girl had to be at least 8th class pass. Rubeena had never seen the inside of a classroom.

"We never thought they would use education to decide if we are poor enough," her mother said. "My daughter isn't less because she didn't go to school."

Now, a court ruling is giving hope to Rubeena and thou...