Shelter for inter-caste couples set up in Trichy

TRICHY: An exclusive safety shelter built for the benefit of inter-caste couples facing threats for marrying outside their castes will be inaugurated in the city on Sunday. The private shelter is established by a trust voicing against caste-related violence across Tamil Nadu.

According to advocate Se Gunasekar, managing trustee of Adhalinaal Kadhal Seiveer (Therefore, fall in love), the trust is engaged in supporting adult inter-caste couples for the past 10 years. The new shelter will serve as a safe haven for those on the run due to hostility from their families and fringe elements.

“Inter-caste couples seeking refuge usually get no safe shelters to stay. Even in police stations they cannot be accommodated for a long time. The government can emulate such shelters in other parts to prevent caste killings,” Gunasekar said.

Established in an area of 345sqft area at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh in Police Colony locality in Anna Nagar near Trichy, the trust will accommodate couples seeking legal and livelihood support.

“We have applied for recognition from the district social welfare department. Authorities have given their moral support to our initiative. Legal support will be provided for inter-caste couples approaching us,” Gunasekar told reporters on Saturday.

Members of the trust recalled a directive of the Madurai bench of Madras high court which ordered that district administrations form a special cell for assisting inter-caste couples. They said that such special cells are established in only four districts including Trichy.

Establishing such shelters would pave way for the government to pitch in with a solution and show responsibility in providing security for inter-caste couples and to end caste-based violence, they added.