what is an inter caste marriage

An inter-caste marriage is a marriage between two individuals belonging to different castes or social groups. In India, where the caste system is prevalent, inter-caste marriages are particularly perceived as socially unacceptable and taboo in most cases. However, inter-caste marriages have been gradually gaining acceptance due to increasing education, employment, middle-class economic background, and urbanization. As of the 2011 census, 5.8% of marriages in India were inter-caste marriages. The Supreme Court of India has also declared that inter-caste marriages are in the national interest and a unifying factor for the nation, and there has never been a bar on inter-caste or inter-religion marriages in independent India. The government of Himachal Pradesh has initiated the Inter-caste Marriage Scheme to promote inter-caste marriages and encourage social integration. However, inter-caste marriages can still face opposition and violence in some cases, particularly from those who wish to uphold tradition and culture.