Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Inter-caste marriages

The Centre's proposal to enhance the monetary incentive to Rs.50,000 to encourage inter-caste marriages is certainly a commendable step. We are aware of the numerous atrocities committed on those who marry outside their caste. They are isolated by their relatives and ostracised by society. All those who oppose inter-caste marriages have a vested interest in perpetuating the caste system.

A monitoring agency should ensure that the incentive is not misused. Should the couple choose to separate on trivial grounds, the amount should be recovered from them. Education and job preference to the offspring of such couples will go a long way in encouraging inter-caste marriages. Although a small step, it will lead to the creation of a casteless society in the long run.

Naveen Ishak,
Thiruvananthapuram

While the proposal is welcome, it is naive to think that it will produce the desired results. Caste consciousness is deeply entrenched in our society. It is well nigh impossible to eradicate caste feelings by such cosmetic measures. As a first step towards eliminating the caste system, political parties should avoid fielding candidates of the dominant caste in a region during the polls.

P.K. Varadarajan,
Chennai

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