Chandigarh: As love marriages face serious opposition in the Punjab region, the state government has prepared a proposal to protect such couples and has submitted it to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.
If the proposal turns into reality, the government will launch two helpline numbers and a dedicated portal through which lovers/partners can register their grievances. The government said all such cases will be attended to within 48 hours.
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Currently, those couples facing opposition and threats from family and relatives for marrying a person against their wishes are increasingly moving the high court seeking protection. As a result, not only has the burden on the legal mechanism increased but also the couples inadvertently face inordinate delays in getting their concerns addressed.
The court also sought the views of the Chandigarh and Haryana governments on the proposal.
Justice Avnish Singh said that he hoped that the Punjab government would work on the proposal and fix the loopholes, if any. Earlier, he said that only highly unusual cases should come before the High Court in person, else the couple should get help in their own city.
The high court said that in every tehsil and district of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, safe houses should be set up for those who get married against the will of the family. Telephone and internet facilities should be available at the help desk.
During video conferencing and hearings in the high court during the pandemic time, about 70 percent of the cases were of those couple seeking protection as they got married against their family's wishes. The high court noted that such cases were increasing rapidly. It said in a civilized society, all adults have the right to choose their spouse.
