What is it about?
Interfaith marriages in India, especially those between hindus and muslims face stiff barriers from families as well as larger society in India. A personal choice of partner selection is politicised and myths such as 'live jihad' are propagated in order to stop such marriages from happening. This is despite the fact that India has a a legislation- Special Marriages Act, that helps in solemnisation and registration of civil and interfaith marriages. This paper shares views of few interfaith couples about their own lives and everyday negotiations with people around them.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
This paper, through examples of few interfaith couples, hopes to challenge some assumptions about interfaith marriages and help readers understand views of those who are living the reality of being in interfaith marriages. It hopes to inform the readers about potential of such marriages in helping others respect humanity more than rigidity and rituals that become barriers.
Perspectives
I think several people in India often get stuck with what is given to them through popular social media. Fake stories, news and articles or half truths are propagated especially about hindu-muslim scenario. Negative assumptions are spread about people rightfully choosing their partners and their personal choice is politicised and made an issue of honor, even leading to murders of individuals who choose marriage with someone who is from a different religion or caste. It is time that India recognises that some fundamentalist groups cannot stop people from making choices about their personal lives and that some will stand up to challenge popular myths. I am trying to do this through my paper which is based on research.
Shweta Verma
Jamia Millia Islamia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Interfaith Marriages and Negotiated Spaces, Society and Culture in South Asia, November 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2393861717730620.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
