I am Muslim woman marrying a Hindu man. Here's why I am NOT changing my religion--even if it saves me the legal hassle

Every battle is worth it if I get to keep my identity intact. Photo Courtesy: YouTube/ YRF

Love in the times of communal unrest is not easy. Especially if you have dared to open your heart to a person who doesn't share the same faith as you. In a country like ours, where love is expected to conform to the caste-based guidelines, falling for a man or a woman outside the periphery of one's religion invites a lot of trouble.

Then, there are people like me, who brave these diktats and don't let their feelings surrender to the communal feelings that plague India.

Yup, I am a Muslim woman in love with a Hindu man. Oh! Just a tiny correction, I am engaged to this Hindu man and about to tie the knot with him soon.

And before you tag our relationship as ghar wapsi, let me assure you that there is not going to be a homecoming of any sort. Majorly because I am not changing my religion, much to the chagrin of some people.

However, let me tell you something. An inter-religion marriage in India takes a lot of effort. Well, not because of parental pressure or the society. It's because there are a very few options for couples such as us to keep our faiths and yet get married.

For instance, my fiancé and I can't have a nikah because Islam doesn't allow inter-faith marriages. And if I go ahead with it, my fiancé would have no choice but to convert. Something that is blasphemous in my eyes.

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Next, comes the saat pheras in an Arya Samaj mandir. But, that's not appropriate either. Since the temple only solemnizes marriage between Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains. And as far as Muslims and Christians are concerned, they have to convert to Hinduism to tie the knot. And that's out of question too.

To be honest, my reluctance to let go of my religion doesn't stem from my love for it. It's got more to do with my fight to not let go of my identity after marriage. Be it my faith, lifestyle, dreams, passions, or surname. You see, the man who loves me does so for what I am. And I intend to keep it that way.

So, after much research, I came across the Special Marriage Act, 1954 in the Indian Constitution. For the uninitiated, this act allows couples belonging to different faiths to get married without changing their religions. Though, it's a jackpot for all inter-faith couples, registering under it takes a lot of effort. Or least, it did in our case.

Also read: This couple from Hyderabad is fighting for the right to reject religion in a caste-obsessed India

We had to keep making rounds to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office of our district to apply under Special Marriage Act. Not to mention, spend a lot of moolah on the lawyers to get the work done.

Now, that the process is almost complete I realize that it was a lot of hard work but so worth the effort. Courtesy this act, both my future husband and I get to follow our respective faiths without any pressure of conversion. And that's a victory for us.