Interfaith couple faces opposition in Uttarakhand despite court protection
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An interfaith couple in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar has encountered strong opposition from right-wing groups despite securing police protection through a high court order, with their personal details being circulated on social media and their marriage facing objections from the woman’s family and local organisations, The Indian Express reported.
Mohammad Shanu and Akansha Kandari submitted a marriage notice at the sub-district magistrate’s office on January 7, believing they were following legal procedures, but they soon discovered that their application had been widely shared online with allegations of “love jihad.”
The couple had sought protection from the Uttarakhand High Court in December, stating that they faced threats from Kandari’s family and the right-wing groups, prompting the court to direct local police to ensure their safety for six weeks.
However, even after the court’s intervention, right-wing organisations, including Bajrang Dal, accompanied Kandari’s mother to the SDM office to challenge the marriage, with her family alleging coercion.
The couple, who first connected through social media in 2018 before meeting in person in 2022, had initially persuaded Kandari’s family to accept their relationship, but resistance intensified after local right-wing outfits intervened.
While the woman reaffirmed her decision to marry Shanu, the ongoing objections have created significant hurdles, affecting not only their plans but also Shanu’s livelihood, as he has had to reduce his working hours due to safety concerns.
Legal representatives indicate that several interfaith and inter-caste couples have sought protection from the high court in recent years, attributing the growing challenges to increasing politicisation and organisational interference in such marriages.
Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal leaders have publicly justified their opposition, citing legal provisions against “love jihad” in Uttarakhand, while declining to engage with the couple directly. Despite the persistent objections, the couple remains hopeful about receiving their wedding certificate on February 7.