Belief That Marriage Must Be Within The Same Religion Is Superstitious: Calcutta HC [Read Judgment]

It would not be prudent to allow that mindset, which has a detrimental effect, to go on, the court said.

In spite of significant developments in modern science and technology, we find a few conservative people still believe that marriage must be within the same religion and of same financial status. Such baseless and unfounded attitude sometimes may lead to family disasters, observed the Calcutta High Court while disposing of some pleas connected to death of a boy involved in an inter-religious marriage.

Terming such beliefs ‘superstitious’ and ‘narrow mindedness’, Justice Siddhartha Chattopadhyay said: “The menace of the custom should be axed. It would not be prudent to allow that mind set, which has a detrimental effect, to go on.”

A Hindu girl, who is the daughter of a big businessman in the state, had married a Muslim boy. The girl’s family did not approve of the relationship and with the help of some police officers, they could get the girl back to their home. Ultimately, the allegedly boy committed suicide facing pressure from all sides, including police officers. One of the questions involved in the case was that whether a direct/ remote mental pressure associated with serious criminal intimidation be treated as an abetment to commit suicide.

With regard to the unfortunate fate of the boy, the court observed: “The young couple dreamt of a rosy life but within a week that became a jinxed matrimony. When the victim decided to take the help of police officials, the protectors allegedly took the role of predators. When he wanted to take the help of law enforcing agency, that agency turned a deaf ear to. As a result, the said law enforcing agency became a teasing mirage to the victim.”