by Aswathi Shaju and Akhil Augustine

Marriage is regarded as a means to the colossal path of relationship between two families…… for most people in India marriage is a one-time event in life. This is sanctified and glorified with much social approval. Marriage is a social stipulation. In our realm, it is governed by the specific personal laws governing each religion. However, in extraordinary circumstances when such nuptial ties are between two people of different religions, the special marriage act becomes the consent.

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In today’s society mélange between people from dissimilar religions is happening at different forums. Thus it should not be a matter of grave consequence when marriage arrangements also involve such intermingling. This official requirement is indeed a massive step towards a non-judgmental society. To think of marriages between different castes and different religion is a difficult and socially deplorable proposition. To every such marriage, social stigma is attached, making it difficult for the couples to endure.

Recently the process of modernization, westernization, democratization, and development has brought lots of optimistic changes in Indian society. A norm which is prevalent in our society since the inception of society cannot be eradicated utterly in just 200 years. Even now India is struggling to come out of this social menace. with many social reforms, India has exposed some significant alterations in marriages. With awareness programs and various other activities now the people are trying to make aware of the adverse effects of the system.

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As education playing a key role, people are now thinking beyond these boundaries. The ancients disapproved of these marriages for certain reasons. In inter-religious marriage, they belong to two dissimilar communities. The difference in customary practices, way of adoration, etc. for example a non-vegetarian woman marrying into an orthodox vegetarian family would find her diet constrained. Attending family gatherings will make feel like an outsider. There will be lots of misinterpretation among couples. Cultural and religious differences between parents create problems for the child to adopt any particular religion. It also creates marital problems for children and other siblings as society does not recognize this type of marriage. In order to evade these exertion ancients have unapproved inter-religion marriages. Though this type of marriage has more problems many couples have made their marriage triumphant. It eliminates the cultural differences and narrows religious community feeling. The legislation should make an amendment in this act for the protection of couples marrying under the special marriage act.

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 The constitution of India gives us the fundamental rights to equality, right to freedom & personnel liberty, right to life, and all these rights are conferred to the couples marrying under this act as well. However, with time, things change and it becomes a part of society. Though things change these types of marriages are seen only in the city culture. The rural parts of the country still have a long way to go.

About the Author:

 Aswathi Shaju is a judiciary service aspirant, currently pursuing law degree. She has received the best researcher award form Sri Venkateshwara University.

Akhil Augustine is a law aspirant, at Dr Ambedkar global law institute and a human rights activists.