Allahabad HC directs police to give protection to interfaith couple in Uttar Pradesh
Allahabad, Jun 12: Directing the police to provide protection to an interfaith couple, the Allahabad High Court has clarified the woman's conversion to Islam would not be a relevant factor in ensuring that there is no interference in their liberty, unless there is any allegation by her regarding forcible conversion.
The court directed the Moradabad police to give protection to the interfaith couple who alleged that their family members were interfering in their marital life and liberty.
Yashi Devi, aged about 20, and Guchhan Khan, aged about 40, married on January 11, 2021 after she converted to Islam.
The couple, residents of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, requested the high court to issue necessary directions to the respondents not to interfere with their marital life and liberty.
It was claimed that the petitioners were major and had solemnised the marriage out of their own free will. It was also alleged that their family members are interfering in their marital life and liberty.
Justice Salil Kumar Rai, while hearing the matter, referred to the Supreme Court's judgment in the case of Lata Singh vs State of UP and observed that law is settled that it is the right of couple to live peacefully without any interference in case they are major.
The court directed that in case the petitioners face any genuine threat to their life and liberty, or they are harassed, contrary to law laid down by the Apex Court, it shall be open for them to approach the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the Moradabad district and furnish necessary details in that regard, like proof of their majority, marriage and alleged harassment, etc., and the police officer shall take all steps as may be required in law to ensure that petitioners' life and liberty are not interfered with, keeping in view the directions issued in the Lata Singh case.
"It is also clarified that petitioners, if major, are entitled to live together even if not married and, therefore, proof of their marriage would not be required and shall not be insisted upon by the concerned police officer," the court added.
The court also clarified that the woman's conversion to Islam would not be a relevant factor in the case unless she complains of forcible conversion, the court said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
