Religious fanatics trying to trying to stop inter-religious marriages

The Times of India
December 28, 2005

A QUESTION OF FAITH
by Paarth Joshi


Religious fanatics are at it again- trying to stop inter-community
marriages.

Last week, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad called a bandh in Karjan, a town
near Vadodara. The reason: a boy from the Muslim community had eloped
and married a Hindu girl.

The marriage angered the girl's family and they set off to make sure the
boy 'divorced' their daughter. But, it only made news when a few
religious fanatics joined the procession to protect their religion by
stating that the "trend of inter religious marriages," must be stopped.

Yes, we are talking of India, apparently the world's largest secular,
multi cultural, democratic nation. And yes we are talking 2005 and not
1895 here!

And so, we asked a few couples who had committed the 'sin' of marrying
each other even though their religions were apparently not 'compatible',
about the effects of such statements on society.

Nuzhat and Amar Desai, who recently celebrated their 24th wedding
anniversary, are predictably upset. "Such statements are irrational and
instigate ill feelings among communities...

We've lived happily as a couple for such a long time without any
problems. Love and marriage are very personal issues where no
interference from fanatics should be entertained," says Nuzhat, a teacher.

Shafi and Meena Sheikh, who've been married for three years too feel
that one shouldn't pay any heed to such incidents. "Marriage is an
institution which makes one happy.

It's all about adjustment with the other person. What could be a better
way to forget differences and live happily?" says Shafi.

But when it comes to the younger generation, such incidents only make
them fearful. Anita Shah and Sadaf Vohra are in a relationship for a
year but they're not sure of marriage.

"Such incidents only help strengthen orthodox mind-sets. I don't know
whether I'll be able to marry Sadaf, maybe we would just end up as good
friends," says Anita.

A lesson to be learnt from those who've already walked the path?

(Names have been changed to protect identities)