Newlyweds Shashikala and Praveen seek police protection after defying social norms to marry just weeks before a pre-planned wedding
Chikkaballapur: In a dramatic stand for personal liberty, a young couple from Bengaluru Rural has challenged traditional family structures and social opposition to unite in marriage. Shashikala, 29, a resident of Savakanahalli in Devanahalli, and Praveen, 24, from Haleour in Hoskote, officially married this week despite intense pressure from their respective families. The couple has since approached the Chikkaballapur District Superintendent of Police (SP) office and the Women’s Police Station seeking protection, citing threats and severe social backlash following their decision.
A Five-Year Secret Romance Culminates in Defiance
The union is the culmination of a five-year-long clandestine relationship. According to police reports, the two had been in love for half a decade, keeping their intentions hidden from their families. The situation reached a breaking point when Shashikala’s parents finalized her engagement to another man, with the wedding ceremony scheduled for May 29, 2026. Choosing her partner over the arranged match, Shashikala left her home just days before the scheduled nuptials to wed Praveen in a private ceremony.
Controversy Over Consanguinity and Family Ties
The marriage has ignited a local debate due to the specific familial relationship between the pair. Praveen is the son of Shashikala’s maternal aunt (mother’s sister). In many traditional local customs, children of sisters are considered siblings, making their romantic union a taboo within their community. Families from both sides have expressed deep shock and frustration, with parents reportedly telling the couple they have "brought shame" to the lineage by marrying someone who is considered a brother in the family inheritance structure.
Couple Appeals to District SP for Protection
Fearing for their safety after the marriage was discovered, Shashikala and Praveen fled to Chikkaballapur. At the SP office, Shashikala gave a statement asserting her autonomy and legal right to choose her spouse. "We married because we liked each other; let us live our lives on our own terms," she informed the authorities. The couple has requested that the police intervene to ensure they are not harassed or physically harmed by relatives who oppose the marriage on traditional grounds.
Social Media and Local Community Reactions
News of the marriage has spread rapidly across Chikkaballapur and Hoskote, sparking polarised reactions. While some younger residents defend the couple’s right to marry under the Special Marriage Act and constitutional freedoms, older community members have labelled it a "strange marriage" that violates longstanding cultural norms. The Women’s Police Station is currently mediating the situation, attempting to counsel the parents while ensuring the physical safety of the newlyweds remains the top priority.
Legal Standing and Police Intervention
Authorities have confirmed that, as both individuals are adults, Shashikala, being 29 and Praveen, 24, they have the legal right to marry of their own volition. The police are currently documenting the protection petition and have warned the family members against taking any illegal actions. As of now, the couple remains under the watch of the Chikkaballapur police as they attempt to start their lives together amidst the ongoing social storm.
"We married because we liked each other; let us live our lives on our own terms." Shashikala, 29, is seeking police protection in Chikkaballapur.
