Kula Rahita Samajam

TOWARDS A CASTELESS SOCIETY
Inter-caste marriages ideal in nation’s  interest

Caste system is a major social evil in India. It not only divided people into more than 3700 castes, but also graded them as high and low sowing the vicious seeds of inequality and discrimination of individuals by birth. Each caste is an independent entity and no two castes ‘mix’ with each other, ‘untouchability’ being its worst manifestation.

A curse         
The Supreme Court in a noteworthy judgment on July 7, 2006 said: “The caste system is a curse on the nation and the sooner it is destroyed, the better”. It is a timely reminder to the nation, when it is feared whether the country has forgotten its cherished goal of ‘casteless society’. The Bench consisting of Justices Ashok Bhan and Markandey Katju observed that in fact the caste system is “dividing the nation at a time when we have to be united to face the challenges before the nation”.
Inter - caste marriages      One of the effective means and instruments for ushering in a casteless society is inter-caste marriage. Mahatma Gandhi advocated this by insisting on inter-caste marriages with dalits, and also by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar as an important measure for ‘Annihilation of Caste’. Several patriotic-minded persons fought for social justice to eliminate social discrimination and untouchability; some others who denounced caste system got themselves inter- caste married or performed such marriages to their children breaking caste barriers in order to bring about blood relationship between different castes. Social reform organizations sprang up in the country dedicated to this noble cause. Central and State Governments have provided cash incentives and even gold medals to inter-caste couples. The Supreme Court highlighted that “inter-caste marriages are in fact in national interest, as they will result in destroying the caste system”.

State of affairs  Inter-caste marriage implies not only a strong will against caste system, but also a spirit of sacrifice ; unfortunately, these couples are subjected to atrocities, ex-communication, social boycott, deprivation of parental love and even violence and ‘honour  killings’ by family and caste panchayats. Expressing concern, anguish and shock at the state of affairs, the Bench said in strong terms: “There is nothing honourable about such killings, and in fact they are nothing but barbaric and shameful acts of murder committed by brutal, feudal-minded persons who deserve harsh punishment”.
No bar The apex court said: “This is a free and democratic country and once a person becomes a  major he or she can marry whosoever he or she likes”. There is no bar to an inter-caste marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act or any other law, the court said. In case the parents of the boy or girl do not approve of the inter-caste or  inter-religious marriage,  “the maximum they can do is to cut off social relations with the son or the daughter, but they cannot give threats, commit or instigate acts of violence and cannot harass the person who opts for inter-caste or inter-religious marriage”.

Protection     
Most importantly, the Supreme Court directed the administration and police all over the country to extend protection to such couples against harassment, and initiate action against those who indulged in violence against them.
A Morale Booster  
This enlightening judgment of the highest court of the land
— strengthens the determination of the progressive section of society and inter-   caste married couples to take forward the movement more vigorously towards a casteless society;
— boosts the morale of the younger generation to boldly come forward in large numbers to opt for inter-caste marriages by choosing the life partners of their choice;
— subdues resistance from the opposing quarters.
At the same time it is hoped that on their part the social reform organisations in the country converge and intensify the movement  for eradication of caste system and that the State  provides more incentives like jobs for encouraging inter-caste and inter-religious marriages in national interest.
 
--  D.G.Rama Rau

'Kula Rahita Samajam' authored by D.G.Rama Rau was first published during October 2008 by Kula Nirmulana Sangham and is priced Rs.50/-. Print version of the book is available at Vishalandhra Publishing House, Praja Shakti Book House, Sahachara Books and Disha Pustaka Kendram.
The electronic copy of the book can be downloaded free of cost from Vikasa Dhatri.