Inter - religious marriages

Inter - religious marriages

          In a country where inter caste marriages are not easily acceptable it appears to be folly to think of inter religious marriages. Inter religious marriages are unthinkable in India, leaving elite section of society. In a middle class family, inter caste or inter religious marriage may cause unthinkable disaster and communal violence. Inter religious marriages reflect a liberal vision of the people. But the question is how many of us can accept this as a healthy practice. In an era when boys and girls have numberless opportunities to study together and work together, the views of the people about inter religious marriages should undergo a change. Such expectations are definitely impracticable. Although Indian youths are liberal but their parents are traditional in their outlook and thoughts. Inter religious marriage is a very sensitive matter that can trigger off communal violence on a large scale. The example of communal riots followed after showing Tamas' are fresh in our mind. Those who argue that inter religious marriages may bring about communal harmony and national integration are living in fairy land. Such a marriage is not bound to succeed because each religion has different set of beliefs, rites and social practices. India is a backward country. In a society like ours it is generally the girl who suffers most if the marriage is not acceptable to her parents or the parents of the boy. Such kind of marriage can succeed only in advanced countries and elite section of the Indian society. The couples of inter religious marriages may be socially ostracized and humiliated.