The Right to Choose a Life Partner: Breaking Social Barriers in Modern India

By Prof. (Dr.) Harbansh Dixit

The freedom to choose a life partner is one of the most personal and fundamental human rights. Yet in 21st-century India, this right continues to face deep-rooted contradictions—from family pressures and caste orthodoxy to communal politics and even legal harassment.

Despite constitutional protection under Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, numerous individuals—particularly women—continue to be denied autonomy in choosing whom to marry. In many cases, society’s resistance turns violent and oppressive, challenging the very fabric of democratic values.

Honour vs. Freedom: A Misguided Social Code

In several parts of India, interfaith or inter-caste marriages are still viewed with suspicion. Communities often see them as a threat to their "honour", leading to:

• Social ostracization
• Family coercion
• Violent honour crimes
• Police and bureaucratic interference

Such actions not only violate individual rights but also undermine the constitutional guarantee of equality, dignity, and freedom.

Judicial Support, Societal Resistance

The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the right of consenting adults to marry whomever they choose, irrespective of caste or religion. In the Lata Singh and Shakti Vahini cases, the Court directed law enforcement agencies to protect couples from societal backlash and threats.

However, implementation remains weak. In many cases, local police side with families or communities, especially when pressured by dominant caste or political interests.

Misuse of Laws and Political Polarisation

There have also been instances where laws intended to prevent forced conversions or protect minors are misused to criminalise consensual interfaith relationships. Terms like “love jihad” have entered political vocabulary, fueling suspicion and hatred instead of protecting individual choice.

The result is an atmosphere where even legal marriages face harassment, cancellation, or criminal prosecution, turning love into a liability.

A Woman’s Autonomy: Still Negotiable?

At the centre of this contradiction is the autonomy of women. Families that educate daughters and speak of equality still often deny them the right to choose their partners. Whether through emotional blackmail or outright violence, the message remains: “Freedom, but only within tradition.”

This mindset exposes a deep flaw in our social fabric, where liberty is praised in theory but punished in practice.

Conclusion: A Society That Trusts Its Youth

The right to choose a life partner must not be a privilege granted by family or society, but a right guaranteed and protected by the State and respected by the community. Legal safeguards must be strengthened and enforced, and social awareness campaigns must challenge outdated notions of honour and purity.

“Let love and choice be celebrated, not prosecuted. In a free country, love cannot be a crime.”