Hyderabad:
Looking at their happy faces, you wouldn't think a real threat was lurking over their head. They were giggling, exchanging glances to convey words unspoken just like any other newly married couple in love. Only once in a while there would be a grave shadow of darkness on their faces as they spoke about the reality of what they feared could happen to them, in a country and a state where caste equations matter much more than matters of the heart.
24-year-old Noratan, belonging to Mali (gardener), an OBC caste in Rajasthan, married 22-year-old Reenu, a Rajput girl, against her family's wishes, in Jaipur on June 5. The two have known each other for over five years. Once her family found out, they beat up the boy in the SP's office. Supported by social activists, the couple came to Hyderabad where Noratan is employed with a legal firm. Reenu's family has continued to chase the couple in Hyderabad and that is why the couple is now in hiding.
"They told me in the women's protection cell, in front of social activists and policemen, that they would shred me to pieces for having dared to marry a Rajput girl," Noratan says. "Doesn't the Indian Constitution give us the right to choose who we want to marry? Both of us are major, adults who can marry. Who are they to stop us?"
Reenu says she feels nervous that anytime, anything could happen to them. "They could take me away. Or harm him physically. They know where he works. I told them that on my own volition, I married him and I will stay with him. That made them angry. They beat us up and now they are booking false cases, so they can take us back to Rajasthan and do something."
Reenu's father works with the Rajasthan Police as a sub-inspector in Ajmer. The couple fears that he is mobilising support on caste lines to avenge what he sees as an insult.
"Casteism is full-throated in people. Honour killing is common in Rajasthan. That is why we fear that there is a real threat to our life. This is a potential case of honour killing," Noratan explains.
A case of abduction, illegal confinement and theft has been booked against Noratan. Kavita Srivastava of the PUCL, who has helped the couple get married and stay safe so far, says she is really afraid for them. "Imagine inside the women's protection cell, in the premises of the SP office, they barged in and beat us up and tried to take the girl away. They can go to any extent. The couple must be given police protection and the father should be given a stern warning by his seniors."
Noratan and Reenu have approached the Madhapur police in Hyderabad and have expressed apprehensions that they fear a threat to their life. "I brought nothing from home. But they have put cases saying we took away gold and money with us. Some way or the other, they want to get us back to Rajasthan and then no one can say what will happen," says Reenu.
24-year-old Noratan, belonging to Mali (gardener), an OBC caste in Rajasthan, married 22-year-old Reenu, a Rajput girl, against her family's wishes, in Jaipur on June 5. The two have known each other for over five years. Once her family found out, they beat up the boy in the SP's office. Supported by social activists, the couple came to Hyderabad where Noratan is employed with a legal firm. Reenu's family has continued to chase the couple in Hyderabad and that is why the couple is now in hiding.
"They told me in the women's protection cell, in front of social activists and policemen, that they would shred me to pieces for having dared to marry a Rajput girl," Noratan says. "Doesn't the Indian Constitution give us the right to choose who we want to marry? Both of us are major, adults who can marry. Who are they to stop us?"
Reenu says she feels nervous that anytime, anything could happen to them. "They could take me away. Or harm him physically. They know where he works. I told them that on my own volition, I married him and I will stay with him. That made them angry. They beat us up and now they are booking false cases, so they can take us back to Rajasthan and do something."
Reenu's father works with the Rajasthan Police as a sub-inspector in Ajmer. The couple fears that he is mobilising support on caste lines to avenge what he sees as an insult.
"Casteism is full-throated in people. Honour killing is common in Rajasthan. That is why we fear that there is a real threat to our life. This is a potential case of honour killing," Noratan explains.
A case of abduction, illegal confinement and theft has been booked against Noratan. Kavita Srivastava of the PUCL, who has helped the couple get married and stay safe so far, says she is really afraid for them. "Imagine inside the women's protection cell, in the premises of the SP office, they barged in and beat us up and tried to take the girl away. They can go to any extent. The couple must be given police protection and the father should be given a stern warning by his seniors."
Noratan and Reenu have approached the Madhapur police in Hyderabad and have expressed apprehensions that they fear a threat to their life. "I brought nothing from home. But they have put cases saying we took away gold and money with us. Some way or the other, they want to get us back to Rajasthan and then no one can say what will happen," says Reenu.
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