2. Inter-caste marriage is a term used
in South Asia and Middle-
Eastern countries for a marriage
where the couple are from two social
groups, e.g., different races, clans or
castes .
3. Inter-Caste Marriage in India
Special Marriage Act, 1954
Applicability
1.Any person, irrespective of religion.
2.Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs can also perform marriage under the
Special Marriage Act, 1954.
3.The Muslim, Christian, Parsi, or Jewish religions can also perform
marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
4.Inter-caste marriages are performed under this Act.
5.This Act is applicable to the entire territory of India (excluding the states
of Jammu and Kashmir) and extends to intending
spouses who are both Indian nationals living abroad
4. Requirements
1.The marriage performed under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 is a
civil contract and accordingly, there need be no rites or
ceremonial requirements.
2.The parties have to file a Notice of Intended Marriage in the
specified form to the Marriage Registrar of the district in which
at least one of the parties to the marriage has resided for a period of
not less than thirty days immediately preceding the date on
which such notice is given.
5. 3.After the expiration of thirty days from the date on which notice of
an intended marriage has been published,
the marriage may be solemnized, unless it has been objected to by any
person.
4.The marriage may be solemnized at the specified Marriage Office.
5.Marriage is not binding on the parties unless each party states "I,
(A), take thee (B), to be my lawful wife (or husband)," in
the presence of the Marriage Officer and three witnesse
6. Conditions for marriage :
1.Each party involved should have no other subsisting valid
marriage. In other words, each party should be monogamous.
2.The bridegroom must be at least 21 years old; the bride must be
at least 18 years old.
3.The parties should be competent in regards to their mental
capacity to the extent that they are able to give valid consent for
the marriage.
4.The parties should not fall within the degree of prohibited
relationship
12. Facts about Inter-Caste Marriage In India :
* Only 11% inter caste marriages:
According to a research conducted by the US-based Princeton University on Indian couples, in was
revealed that only 11% of marriages are inter-caste while 2.1% are inter-religion marriages.
*Inter-caste marriages mostly happen in urban cities:
The research revealed that most number of inter-caste marriages take place in metropolitan cities.
Then comes the three-tier cities and villages and small towns comes at third number.
*Trend started from Mumbai?
Research said that in 1963, 149 inter-caste marriages took place in Bombay. The fact that the Indian
film industry- Bollywood is located in Mumbai, may be one of the reason behind it.
13. Love= Inter caste marriage?
According to the statistical figures, 96.5% inter-caste marriages take place due to
love affair between couples. So, it can be said that its very rare to see couples
getting married in an another caste in case of an arranged marriage.
In South India:
In southern states, only 9.71% marriages are inter-caste. It is surprising to know
that South India, which is considered as highly- educated and socially advanced,
do not prefer inter-caste marriages.
Most inter-caste marriages happen in Goa:
In Goa, 20.69% weddings are inter-caste based. The number is high as compared
to other states.