Added: 10/16/2005 |
Hindu Singles, Today, Are Open To Inter-Caste Marriages And Advertise For It OpenlyThe break up of the joint family setup in the last two decades is resulting in more and more love marriages, live-in relationship and career oriented youth who do not wish to marry till they give a proper shape to their career. However, despite the shift in the young generation, the older generation still feel it their duty to arrange marriages for their children, and see them "settled" in life. This is particularly valid for Hindu singles both men and women.
The matrimonial ads here play a massive role is searching for the right bride or groom for the singles who do not have time or inclination to go through the traditional services of a matchmaker. The Hindu matrimonial ads encourage discarding of caste discrimination by offering lower prices for ads which print "caste no bar". This also shows that the Indian culture is opening up with regard to religious taboos, and is ready to be more progressive in their approach to marriage. A few decades ago, it would have been unthinkable for any respectable family to even consider inter-case marriage. Today Hindu singles advertise for it. This is a development in the right direction, which will reinforce the fact that today's educated Hindu singles are not really concerned about rituals, religion and casteism, but a match of minds and intellectual compatibility.
When it comes to the Muslim Hindu matrimonial ads are not able to cross the religion barrier. There are many instances where Muslim Hindu marriages take place and are successful, but they are not yet 'the order of the day'. While Inter-caste marriages today are not only accepted but also promoted by the family unit itself, religious barriers are still watched with apprehensions. This is due to totally opposite rituals each religion follows. For example, Hindus do not eat beef, considering cows as sacred, while beef is the staple diet of a Muslim. In the same way Christians eat pork while both the Hindus and the Muslims abhor it. This is only one of the many instances where beliefs and religious rituals interfere with the acceptance of the other religion. Marriage for Hindu singles as well as other religions means not only a life partner, but also children. Hence, the concern for religion is deep. Inter-religious marriages would mean life-styles transmitted to children. What religion would the children be brought up into? What would be the proper food habits for the new family? What would be the methods of worship? These are but a few of the million questions that such a marriage would raise.
In love marriages, whether for Hindu singles or Muslim or Christian mixing of religion does not really pose problems. The children from such families are seen to be broadminded and open in their belief in God, more tolerant and more realistic in their outlook on religion. This shows that such marriages would be good for strengthening the fiber of goodwill among Indians. However, though moving in the right direction, it will still take a decade or two to reach there.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
