Love Commandos, a New Delhi-based voluntary organisation which helps people in love facing opposition from their families to get married, held a meeting here on Sunday, seeking to expand their network, in the wake of news of ‘honour killings’ from the State. The organisation claims to give protection to the couple and help them get married. Sanjoy Sachdev, chairman of the organisation, said though the killings here could be random ones, they highlighted the fact that there could be many who marry without their families’ consent and live in fear. Also, many could be forced to get married against their wishes, he said.
The Supreme Court directives are not followed by States in terms of providing protection to adults who want to live together or get married. There should be helplines for them and the police have to be oriented towards protecting the law, said Mr. Sachdev. He said the organisation had a large network across the country, including the southern States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and had helped hundreds of couples. Mr. Sachdev, who was featured in actor Aamir Khan’s television programme Satyamev Jayate said the organisation was not affiliated to any political party and was committed to help people choose their life partners. He said Indian traditions were wrongly interpreted by the ‘khap’ panchayats. The Puranas had many stories inter-caste marriages, he added.
Helpline
Love Commandos works on a helpline available on their website www.lovecommandos.org . A helpline for the State would be provided once a volunteer base gets established, he said.
