Love: It is Their Right

Two separate incidents in the last few weeks show up the tragic extremes of our intolerance: The endorsement of ‘honour killings’ in Haryana by some 36 Panchayats across the state; and the suspension and subsequent death of a Professor in AMU for being involved in a homosexual relationship.

What makes us fume over the private lives of others, particularly when they harms no one? A false sense of family honour is no reason for killing off young couples; the self-righteous reproach of another’s sexuality is no reason to target him or her in the public sphere, or anywhere else. Custom and traditon grace every society and every religion. They are important in bringing people together during festivities, devotional rituals, charity etc. They help strengthen our social fabric and ensure a continuation of certain artistic and other skills which are vital towards the betterment of humanity. But we err when we try to apply rules set thousands of years ago to a modern, multicultural, globalised generation. Fanaticism about caste, religion and custom are as virulent as that which leads to terrorism, and no less cruel. That the perpetrators of these ridiculous beliefs happen to belong to the so-called respectable society is more dangerous.

The world has enough sorrow resulting from the inequality between people, natural disasters and other calamities. Let us not burden it with more sorrow by interfering with the love lives of others. If two people can find love in this brutal world without harming another, what is my problem? Or yours?

I wish we could air our views and discuss such fanatic behavior, and if we find ourselves following stupid customs that are set in concrete, have the courage to change.

PS: Read Georgina Ford Maddox’s article on the subject of Homophobia in The Indian Express dated 15th April 2010.