C(h)aste love?

 

 

A significant section of India decries inter-caste and love marriages. In Haryana and parts of UP, it’s common for local panchayats to brand ‘violators’ as outcasts and issue death warrants. But why are inter-caste and love marriages considered a sin? Former panchayat member of Gangoli, Haryana, and Chairman of Pilukheda Block for the Congress Party, Tarachand Verma waxes eloquent...

Every society in the world has its own distinctive heritage. Th ese traditions have a long standing history that explains their very existence. In Hindu culture, karma segregates society into diff erent castes, which carve their own unique set of ethics. Breaking these beliefs leads to discord and tension. For example, we have always had a tradition of intra-caste marriages. Since, both bride and groom belong to the same caste, they have a comparable background and are more compatible with lesser chances of dicord.

Our Sanatan Dharma has been around for many centuries now. However, since the arrival of TV, the invasion of Western culture has begun. Inter- caste marriages are the consequence. Th ey have made a mockery of marriage. A wedding can take place within hours with a handful of witnesses. On the contrary, social acceptance of marriage is a must in our culture. Th is is why marriage is an establishment in which not only does society bring a man and a woman together in a bond of devotion but also establishes social responsibilities. Th is social sanction prevents anything that would be socially unacceptable and makes them socially responsible citizens. Th is is an ideal arrangement for the development of humanity. Gotra in Indian match-making is of special signifi cance. Marriages within siblings are unacceptable. In Haryana, a man and a woman cannot be paired for holy matrimony if they or even their maternal uncles are of the same Gotra. Furthermore, some villages do not marry sons and daughters of one village into another. Th is is because traditionally, these villages, called Barah (12), are neighbours, and are considered siblings, because they put up a united front against the Moghuls. My village is called Gangoli. Th e nearby villages, such as Baakheda, Haadua, Tabri, Bhaedtana, etc., as a cardinal rule, do not marry their sons and daughters to anyone else from these villages.

It’s upon society to protect these traditions from invasion. Th e village elders make sure that these beliefs remain intact, like they have for all these years. People who break these rules are criminals in the eyes of the community and violators are punished so that tradition is not broken in future. Panchayat tries to make the ‘violators’ understand what is right. If futile, then such people are banished from the society as outcasts and nobody will be allowed to have anything to do with them.

And as far as love marriages are concerned, they are against our values and practice. Aft er all, children of the same village or neighbouring ones are looked upon as brothers and sisters. A love marriage will only be accepted if the girl and the boy are of diff erent Gotras, same community and their respective families accept it. If one looks at all this beyond just caste and creed, one will see that these restrictions have been enforced to give better shape to the nature of mankind. And only when one’s character weakens does it become imperative for society to step in to ensure the preservation of values. History has it that whichever society has lost its core values and morals has compromised its survival. And it is our responsibility to save our society from such erosion.”