New Delhi:
In India, the contrasts are startling. While in the Capital, individuals of the same sex have the right to love each other and be together, in other parts, choosing your own partner even from the opposite sex can spell death for the boy or girl. 'Honour killings' are justified in the name of the caste system.
As a part of the special series on caste in India, NDTV spoke with students in Delhi and Lucknow to find out how the youth of today feels about the centuries-old system.
Many students at Lucknow University feel that the vices of the caste system are not being eliminated at the same rate at which the society is developing.
"The rate at which we are being educated, women are gaining economic independence, society is developing, we are still falling behind," said Monish, one of the students.
"If you are educated you should know what is good for you. Most important is economic independence. When you are dependent on others you can't go for such a bold decision. Others will manipulate you. If we are independent, then we have the option of living alone in case our family abandons us," added another student Pragyan.
Neelkamal echoed the same emotion saying that the entire point of a marriage is to build a family and if the relatives abandon an inter-caste couple then it defeats the very meaning of marriage.
On being asked whether women have to face more trouble since they are doubly oppressed on the grounds of gender as well as caste, Pooja said that her house paints a different picture as irrespective of whether it's a boy or a girl's marriage, the entire family participates in the decision.
"But in most families I have seen the women are restricted. Otherwise they are forced," she added.
The equation in Delhi was a little different and despite the fact that it is essentially a cosmopolitan city, even here the youth cannot ignore their caste identity.
Citing a recent incident, Chetna said that the local Panchayat created quite a furor when they thought that a recent marriage in her family was a same
gotra marriage when it actually was not.
"The Panchayat said the girl won't be allowed in the village, and if the marriage happens it will take action against the boy. But belonging to the present generation I don't agree to this. The law has made Panchayat. Panchayats did not make the law," said a seemingly bold Chetna.
Adding to it, Neha said ,"We need to tell parents even if we want to go ahead with love marriage. And I hope parents understand, because if children take the wrong step, like running away from home or committing suicide, then parents may regret that."
When asked about honour killings, Vandana said that such extreme steps should never be taken and she can never imagine such a thing happening to her.
However, Akshay, one of the students, had contrasting views on the issue. "I would follow what my parents say, that is the tradition in our families," he said. On being asked about the meaning caste identity holds for him, he added, "Caste does count in my life. All major relations are made on the basis of caste."
Despite the differing views of students of this issue, there is one thing they all agree upon, that is, caste does matter.