A 19-year-old college student in north Kerala’s Kozhikode is planning to move the state women commission to complain against her college authorities, who allegedly faced an unexpected reaction from her college for marrying a man from another religious community.
According to reports Neerja a first year literature student at MES women’s college, and Hindu by religion applied for leave, for her wedding with a 23-year old Rameez Nandi.
But unexpectedly she was barred from entering the college. The college was reported to have told her that the marriage, to be undertaken under the Special Marriage Act, was inter-religious marriage and an unforgivable offence.
Expressing her disappointment, Neerja said, “I couldn’t attend classes for a few days having had to sort out a few legal tangles pertaining to my marriage.
Three days ago, we went to meet the Principal, but the vice-principal simply wouldn’t allow us to meet her. She told me girls who indulged in inter-religious marriages are not permitted in the college and that the Principal is not at all interested in meeting such girls.”
Adding to the report, Rameez said, “Rather than make an issue out of this, we thought of quitting and taking admission in some other college. But the authorities simply refused saying that all certificates were in the possession of the Calicut University.
While the college management says ” We asked her to bring her guardian to explain how she missed her classes for 10 days. It is part of college discipline”.
Reacting to this Rameeze said since it was a love marriage, both sets of parents are against their relation. “It is a lame excuse on the part of college authorities.
However duo are all set to fight for the right by approaching both the Human Rights Commission and the court.