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At a time when ‘inter-caste marriages’ are still facing social hurdles or threats in several parts of India, Kerala government has come forward to open ‘safe homes’ for such couples and ensure them a secure accommodation.
K K Shailaja, Minister of Health and Social Welfare said preliminary steps have begun to set up ‘safe homes’, where such couples can stay up to one year after marriage and the accommodation will be provided in all the districts for the newly married inter-caste couple.
Meanwhile, if the couple seek to stay for an extended period after the completion of one year they can approach a special cell constituted in each district for this purpose. The special cell is built to take care of the threats that these coupes face from families or the societies; the cell will consider the request after inspecting the threat situation.
The concerned authorities are already extending financial assistance of Rs 30,000 to couples in general category to help them start self-employment ventures (the annual income of the couple should be less than Rs one lakh). Besides, the department is planning to increase the amount to Rs 50,000. Apart from this, if any one of the couple belongs to the scheduled caste category the department is extending a financial assistance of Rs 75,000.
This decision comes after the honour killing of 24-year-old Kevin P Joseph who was murdered by his wife Neenu’s family in 2018.
