Author:
Publication: News Post India
Date: March 31, 2008
URL: http://newspostindia.com/report-45759
Their love triumphed over everything - their
different faiths and parental opposition. A Muslim woman and her Christian
boyfriend Monday chose to get united in matrimony through Hindu rituals, complete
with chanting of Sanskrit mantras and going round the holy fire.
Looking radiant in a gold-coloured bridal
attire with the Hindu symbols of marriage - vermilion mark on her forehead
and a thali (gold ornament worn on a yellow thread around the neck) - bride
J. Serina Banu, 23, completed the seven rounds around the ritual fire at a
small Ganesh temple with husband M. Justin, uttering the vows in Sanskrit
prompted by a Hindu Brahmin priest.
The couple told reporters that they had eloped
due to parental opposition from their village in Kanyakumari district in southern
Tamil Nadu, travelled over 300 km to this textile town 375 km south west of
Chennai with the help of friends, some of whom belonged to the PMK, a party
that claims to strive for an egalitarian society.
'We were scared of triggering communal riots
back home due to our inter-religious union. Now that we are married through
another religion, the danger may have abated. Though we do not wish to change
our names or faiths, we will live as practising Hindus for the rest of our
lives,' Banu said.
Her beaming dhoti-clad husband sported sandalwood
marks on his forehead.
The marriage was the culmination of a two-year
courtship, which their fathers Jawahar Ali and Michael, residents of Thittavalai,
a hamlet near in Kanyakumari district, were dead against. The area is known
for communal hatred between Hindus, Christians and Muslims, the couple revealed.
'We were not aware that Muslims could marry
Christians sans conversion. At least we didn't,' the newlyweds added, smilingly
answering queries on faith from journalists.
The couple said that they have applied for
police protection as a matter of precaution.
