Udaipur- In a deeply unsettling incident in Suavaton ka Guda, located in the Saira Panchayat of Udaipur district, a young woman’s inter-caste marriage has led to drastic familial and social reactions.
The 19-year-old, who married a 21-year-old youth from a different caste, faced extreme backlash from her family and community.
The girl's father organized a 'Gorani' ceremony on Wednesday, a ritual typically performed to mourn the death of a daughter or sister, and distributed mourning letters to relatives and the community. The men even tonsured their heads as a mark of mourning for their beloved family member.
This symbolic severance was accepted by both the family and the community, who regarded the woman as deceased despite her being alive.
Head Constable Lakshman Singh of Saira Police Station told the media that approximately three months prior, the girl had left her home with the young man from a neighboring village. Their disappearance led both families to file missing person reports.
The young woman and her husband, feeling unsafe due to their inter-caste union, sought refuge with the police instead of confronting their families.
The couple eventually presented themselves at the police station, providing their court marriage certificate as proof of their union.
In response, the police summoned their respective families to the station. During this meeting, the woman refused to recognize her parents and declared her intention to live with her husband. It emerged that the couple had been in contact for 3-4 years, leading to their decision to marry without their families’ consent.
The woman's refusal to acknowledge her parents resulted in her father declaring her dead to the family. He organized a Gorani ceremony, a ritual typically performed to mourn the death of a daughter or sister, and distributed mourning letters to relatives and the community.
This symbolic severance was accepted by both the family and the community, who regarded the woman as deceased despite her being alive.
The household experienced an atmosphere of mourning, with many women arriving in tears. The father consistently informed visitors that he no longer had any connection with his daughter.
The mother was overcome with tears, expressing her anguish, "We raised her with so much love and affection, fulfilling all her desires. Yet, she easily severed ties with us at the station and refused to acknowledge us. We have nothing to do with her now; we have severed all ties with her for life."
This unusual and poignant series of events has sparked widespread discussion in the area.
Despite the escalating levels of education and rising awareness, inter-caste marriages remain largely unacceptable in traditional communities, especially in patriarchal setups like Rajasthan.
"There is much rigidity when it comes to marriages, particularly when it’s a daughter going against family wishes," says Nisha Massey, a government school teacher in Udaipur.
Drawing from her extensive experience working in village schools, Nisha observes that families may somewhat accept sons who defy traditional norms to marry outside their caste, but the parameters are markedly different for daughters.
The societal and familial expectations for daughters are far more stringent, reflecting deep-rooted gender biases and cultural rigidity.
Sumitra Gehlot, a social activist who herself had a love marriage three decades ago, emphasizes the need for sensitive handling of such cases.
"We say times have changed, but society remains unchanged. When I decided to marry the boy of my choice, I may have been legally right, but when I reflect on how much it must have hurt my parents then, I feel remorseful," Gehlot shares.
She underscores the delicate nature of family bonds and suggests that such matters should be approached with care. Gehlot advocates for counselors to engage in dialogue with both parents and children. She believes that disowning them or holding mourning rituals is not the appropriate course of action.
Instead, understanding and empathy are crucial to navigating these complex familial dynamics.
Offering a legal perspective on the family's actions, advocate Maria Paliwala asserts that an intercaste marriage does not nullify a girl's legal rights. Even if she has been erroneously declared dead, she retains all her legal rights.
Muskan, had a similar experience in May 2023 when she eloped with Deepak and came to Udaipur. Both hail from Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. Speaking with The Mooknayak, Muskan said, "We got married in Udaipur, and my family back home filed an FIR against Deepak and his family members, accusing them of abduction. We were terrified, but we sought refuge before the Allahabad High Court, where the false complaints were quashed."
Despite the ongoing challenges with her family, Muskan remains hopeful that they will eventually come to accept her decision.
While communities may remain rigid in their attitudes, the Rajasthan state government has takes proactive steps to promote social harmony. In 2023, the government doubled the incentive for inter-caste marriages, raising it to Rs 10 lakhs.
Inter-caste couples who decide to tie the knot would receive Rs 10 lakhs as a financial incentive, a substantial increase from the previous amount of Rs 5 lakhs. This move reflects the government's commitment to supporting and encouraging inter-caste marriages as a means to bridge societal divides and promote inclusivity.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot unveiled this initiative during the 2023-24 Budget announcement. Subsequently, a notification was issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, formalizing the increased incentive and signaling the government's dedication to fostering social cohesion and harmony in Rajasthan.
Right to Marry (Lata Singh v. State of U.P. - 2006)
This seminal judgment affirms the right to marry a person of one’s choice as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The court, recognizing the significance of personal autonomy and individual freedom, mandated state protection for couples facing familial or societal opposition due to inter-caste or inter-religious marriages.
Presumption of Marriage (Seema v. Ashwin Kumar)
In this significant ruling, the court establishes that registering a marriage creates a legal presumption of its validity. Conversely, unregistered marriages may lack the benefit of such presumption. The judgment emphasizes the importance of marriage registration for all couples, irrespective of their religious affiliations, to ensure legal recognition and protection.
Protection from Honor Killings (Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India and Ors.)
This landmark judgment unequivocally condemns the heinous practice of honor killings and sets forth robust measures to safeguard couples in inter-caste or inter-religious marriages. Recognizing the grave threat posed by societal prejudices and familial violence, the court underscores the obligation of the state to uphold the fundamental rights and safety of individuals in love marriages.
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