When falling in love becomes a radical act The right to privacy and to make choices is guaranteed by the Constitution. This must include the right to make bad choices. Monalisa Bhosle, a garland seller at the Mahakumbh mela who gained attention online, married this week. The significance of her union lies in the identity of her groom, Farman Khan. Monalisa, who claims to be 18, stated her family had pressured her to marry someone they had chosen, prompting her and her partner to seek refuge in Kerala. Rajya Sabha MP A Rahim, present at the wedding, remarked that the couple felt secure in Kerala, where their constitutional rights would be safeguarded. Kerala has a history of legal battles over personal autonomy. In 2017, the state’s high court annulled the marriage of a 24-year-old woman, Hadiya, who had converted to Islam, citing her as “weak and vulnerable” to make decisions for herself. The Supreme Court later overturned that ruling. The state also became the birthplace of the “love jihad” narrative, a term used to describe alleged forced conversions for marriage, though no conclusive evidence has been presented. This week marks another step in the legal landscape surrounding interfaith relationships. Maharashtra became the 13th state to approve a bill requiring government approval for religious conversions. Over half of India’s population now resides in states where interfaith marriage is effectively prohibited, not just through familial disapproval or social pressure but through legislation. The bill mandates a 60-day notice to authorities and imposes severe penalties, including non-bailable jail terms of up to seven years. State officials, such as BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, argue the law protects Hindu girls from “love jihad.#kerala #monalisa_bhosle #farman_khan #rajya_sabha_mp_a_rahim #mahakumbh_mela
