Love beyond boundaries: Inter-faith, inter-caste couples felicitated in city

Lucknow: In a society where love often faces challenges due to religion, caste, and tradition, Jyotsana Kaur and Amar Habibullah stood out as a couple who defied societal norms. They met while studying at St Stephen's College in Delhi, where Amar was four years senior to Jyotsana. Over time, their bond deepened, and in 2003, they got married. Their journey has been one of mutual understanding and acceptance, proving that love transcends all barriers.
The couple was among 14 others honoured at the Hamida Bano-Anil Choubey Inter-faith and Inter-Caste Couple Honour Ceremony on Thursday. The event, held at Moti Mahal Hall, was organised by Hindu Muslim Ekta Samiti, Samajik Samrasta Manch, and the Society for Communal Harmony to recognise couples who chose love over societal divisions.
Speaking about their journey, Jyotsana said, "Inter-faith marriages are not just about two individuals coming together; they are about bringing communities closer and spreading love in society."
Amar Habibullah said, "Love is a force that transcends man-made barriers. Inter-faith marriages prove that unity is possible, and they remind us that society thrives when acceptance and harmony prevail."
Another couple, Ashok and Aarti, faced opposition not only due to their different sub-castes but also from their families. Hailing from neighbouring villages in Hardoi, Aarti's parents never accepted their marriage. In 2015, the couple eloped and got married in Lucknow with the support of Humsafar Organisation, which assists couples facing similar challenges.
Sabina and Vinod's journey unfolded differently. The couple married in 2011, and while Vinod's family accepted them within six months, Sabina's family took a year to come to terms with the marriage. Veda and Rakesh, both theatre artists who have also worked in banks, met in college and married in 1973.
Poet Naresh Saxena married Vijay Thakur, the daughter of a courtesan, who later adopted the name Vijay Naresh. Vijay went on to become an officer in the Indian Foreign Service and served as India's cultural director in Suriname. Naresh faced resistance from his conservative family, while Vijay had to overcome the societal stigma attached to her lineage.
Several other couples, including Kanchan and Vivek Gupta, Jahnavi Deka and Sudhanshu Lal, Veena Rana and Deepak Kabir, Pranita and Vikram Lele, Sudha Singh and Rakesh, Kavita Bharti and Vishal Yadav, Archana Singh and Gaurav Nigam, and Archana Raj and Arun Raj, overcame caste-based challenges in their marriages.