India has come a long way in the way it loves. People are crossing socio-cultural, linguistic and even religious barriers to be with the one who makes their world go round. However, for many of them, such brave love stories end on a sad note. From honour killings to ostracism, couples have to bear a tragic aftermath for choosing to love or marrying outside their caste or religious community.

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However, the Kerala government has come up with an innovative and highly commendable tactic to keep such tragedies at bay by opening âsafe homesâ for inter-caste and inter-religion couples.

The idea is to provide these couples with a space where they can seek shelter and protection during their time of need. The initiative has been proposed by the Department of Social Justice and aims to open such multiple safe facilities across all the districts in Kerala. 

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Talking about the proposal, Kerala Social Justice Minister K K Shailaja informed the media that the groundwork for setting up these 'safe homes' has already begun, and inter-faith and inter-caste couples can stay in these homes for up to one year after marriage.

Thatâs not all, couples seeking the benefits of these safe homes will also be given financial assistance worth Rs 30,000 for general category couples and Rs 75,000 for scheduled caste couples, in order to promote self-employment.

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This path-breaking announcement comes after the relatives of an upper-caste woman in Kottayam abducted and killed her Dalit Christian husband in 2018. Kerala has yet again shown us that it is always stepping up its game when it comes to turning a new leaf and giving hope for a better future. And this is no exception. We hope other states notice this example and take inspiration from Godâs own country.

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