what is inter caste marriage

Inter-caste marriage is a form of exogamous nuptial union that involves two individuals belonging to different castes. In India, where the caste system is prevalent, inter-caste marriages have been gradually gaining acceptance due to increasing education, employment, middle-class economic background, and urbanization. However, inter-caste marriages are still perceived as socially unacceptable and taboo in most societies. The onus of upholding tradition, culture, and "purity" falls on the woman, and if she marries outside traditional boundaries, she is seen as besmirching the honor of the community and her family. The anger and backlash can lead to violent attacks and killings. According to the India Human Development Survey, only about 5% of Indian marriages are inter-caste. The Supreme Court of India has 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.