Author:
Publication: www.keralanext.com
Date: June 5, 2004
URL: http://www.keralanext.com/news/index.asp?id=38241
Autorickshaw driver Biju is paying
a heavy price for having come to the support of a young deserted girl from
a different community in his neighbourhood, in Gudallai, near here.
Attacked by fanatical elements for
marrying his neighbour Nabeesath Mizri, the auto driver has multiple fractures
on his leg and will be out of work for about an year.
Biju's crime was that he fell in
love with his Muslim neighbour who was abandoned by her first husband for
not paying enough dowry. The woman, mother of a six-year-old boy, had to
leave her husband and return to her parents.
While living along with her son
at her parental home at Gudallai, she found solace in sharing her grief
with their immediate neighbour Biju. Their relationship gradually blossomed
into a deep intimacy and they decided to live together.
Challenging many odds and disregarding
the threat of relatives, the lovers left their homes on April 21. Fearing
a backlash from Nabeesath's relatives, who have links with fundamentalist
outfits like the NDF, they lived a life away from the eyes of the relatives
for a brief period. Later, they got married according to the Special Marriage
Act and returned to the home of Biju, when he was attacked by a group.
''I never expected such a cruel
reaction from my relatives,'' says a pain-struck Nabeesath. ''None of my
relatives tried to sort out things when my earlier marriage was on the
verge of collapse. But when I myself found a way out of the web of a deserted
woman's life, everyone started to conspire against us,'' she says.
Though the price of falling in love
was high, the couple is determined to tide over the wave of hatred with
their mutual faith and love. ''I don't feel that loving a woman is a crime
which warrants such a high punishment,'' says Biju. ''We know each other
well. So what is wrong in living together?'' he asks.
Thangamani, mother of Biju, also
is ready to accept Nabeesath as her daughter-in-law. ''Fearing attack from
my relatives, my mother (in-law) spent many a sleepless night,'' says Nabeesath.
