Is love marriage difficult in India ?

It is possible to do love marriage in India but if it is analyzed properly then love marriages are being prevented in India, especially by middle and lower class. Love marriages are not considered socially good in normal families of India because caste bond is very conservative in Indian society. But love marriage is possible by the Indian constitution and law provisions.

In India, the families which are in big cities and are prosperous, easily accept love marriage. But in the rural setting it is almost like a social revolution. Honor killing also happens in many conservative societies of India regarding love marriage.

The Khap Panchayat is a testimony to India’s conservative and casteist roots that how some groups with feudal and self-styled ethnic supremacy regard love marriage as a grave crime.

To maintain caste supremacy, love marriage is rejected by orthodox Indians. It is surprising that the couple in love marriage, especially those who have done inter-caste marriage, have to seek protection from police or court many times.

Indian courts have many times directed governments to act strictly on Khap Panchayats and honor killings, but some conservative public representatives raised from Indian society are found trying to save caste purity.

Do love marriages happen in the Indian village ?

Many people say that love marriages have started happening in rural India, but the truth is that most of the times in rural India, love marriage is possible only when the boy and girl belong to the same caste and both the families agree.

If the boy and the girl are from different castes, then it is possible for love marriage to happen, provided both are from the so called high caste. In this, if one is from an so called high caste and the other is from an so called low caste, then it is highly possible that the marriage will not take place and caste tension may also arise. It is possible that the Khap Panchayat may sit for this or the caste defenders may stand against the couple.

This is especially common in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar etc. in India. In India there exists a hidden caste superiority frustration in the most of so-called upper caste of Indian society which sometimes comes out in the open. For example, in the marriage of Dalits, only when the groom is seated on the horse or mare, the upper castes either pelt stones or try to stop the marriage. This is very common in rural India

What is the reason for inter-caste love marriages not happening easily?

Inter-caste love marriage is not easy because caste roots are very strong here. Ancient India was also a conservative caste society and modern India is also a caste society. Protecting caste supremacy and keeping the mentality of mostly the upper caste itself above all prevents other castes from meeting. Casteism has a violent attribute in India so that some people psychologically remain high in the society forever.

Inter-caste marriages is allowed in India as per law but not by socially accepted specially by orthodox classes. According to Indian constitution and laws every religion or caste is equal in the eyes of law. That’s why if you talk about India, there are inter-caste marriages here and they are also legally recognized. But socially, inter-caste marriage is still a big deal in India. And still a very large section of society in India does not accept inter-caste marriages. Not only this, honor killing or social boycott is common due to inter-caste marriage.

On the other hand, if we look at many societies of India, they still do not have a very good attitude towards inter-caste marriages. In India still inter-caste marriages are not only considered bad but also criticized collectively.

Need Social reforms 2.0

India still has a lot to do to save individual liberty. Inter-caste marriage is mainly directly related to the interests of Dalits, tribal and women. The roots of casteism are basically linked to the Hindu religion which gives it approval. But religious interpretations about it in India may differ.

That’s why casteism is supported more by those people who either always have to be at the top of the society and as want to be consumers of society not producers or who get psychological benefits from it.

Casteism is a major threat so India needs a leader like Raja Ram Mohan Roy for all India social reforms again, as I say it 2.0.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was right in saying that if casteism is to be eradicated, it is necessary to have inter-caste marriages and eat together with different castes. But right now India is probably not thinking of removing casteism and is far behind.