When falling in love becomes a radical act

onalisa Bhosle, the garland-seller at the Mahakumbh mela who went viral on social media, got married this week.

- Namita Bhandare

Big deal? Well, yes, when you consider the name of the bridegroom, Farman Khan.Monalisa, who says she is 18, claims her family was putting pressure on her to marry someone they had picked for her, which is why they sought safe haven in Kerala. Rajya Sabha MP A Rahim, present at the wedding, said: “The couple has realised that they are safe only in Kerala where all their constitutional rights will be protected.”

Lest we forget, it was in Kerala where the high court in 2017 annulled the marriage of a 24-year-old Hadiya who had converted to Islam because she was too “weak and vulnerable” to decide for herself. It took a Supreme Court order to reverse that decision. It was also in Kerala where the “love jihad” theory, as yet unproven, was born two decades ago.

From rumour to legislation, what a long way we've come.