The Caste System Is Curse To The Nation, Sooner It Is Destroyed The Better: Delhi High Court

Case

Shri. Dasuklang Kharjana Vs. State of Meghalaya & Ors

Brief Facts

The petitioner was appointed as Assistant Teacher at Kynshi Presbyterian Upper Primary School, Kynshi. In 2015 and since then the petitioner has been discharging his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. However, suddenly in the month of July, 2018 after the petitioner has completed 3 years and 5 months in his service, to the surprise of the petitioner was directed to resign from the post of Assistant Teacher, reason behind such resignation was given to the petitioner was that he had married a lady from a different fraternity which belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. Thereafter on 11.05.2018 the petitioner submitted a written complaint to the school authority requesting to look into the discriminatory actions taken against him by forcing the petitioner to resign from the post of Assistant Teacher and till then no action was taken by authority which compels the petitioner to file a legal suit against the authority.

Contentions

• Marriage interference is violation of Article 14,16,19,21,25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
• Marriage is the personal affair but in 21^st century still it is no papers, practically not practiced.

Held

Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen of Meghalaya High Court observed that No authority can stop inter-caste marriage or intersect marriage. It is purely a decision between private party i.e. bride and bridegroom to choose their life and their marriage is in no way connected with their service. The court quoted the apex court judgment in Arumugam Servai v. State of Tamil Nadu, in which it was observed that inter-caste marriages are in fact in the national interest as they will result in destroying the caste system. Justice Sen expressed his anguish and displeasure towards the narrow outlook of the school authority by removal of a teacher from a school for marrying a woman who belonged to another caste and directed the school authority to restore its flaw and reinstate the teacher immediately, clear all his dues, salary and other benefits. Beside all this court also directed to pay Rs.50,000 as a compensation to the petitioner.

 Outcome  

In a democratic country, it is imperative to let people freely exercise their right to marry the people of their own choice, irrespective of religion. The Constitution of India through Article 14,16,21,25 and 26 empower citizens of India to practice the religion of their own choice irrespective of caste, creed, sex and colour, the freedom of religion also includes right to convert to another religion and also to have a marriage inter religion, inter-caste. The right to marry in India is part of the right to life as given under the Constitution of India. Girls above the age of 18 and boys above the age of 21 can marry legally in India. They can freely choose their spouse irrespective of the religion or any other ground. The Delhi High court, in one judgment, has said that choosing one spouse is a fundamental right. Both men and women have right to enter into marriage and freely choose a partner of their choice.