'Adult man free to choose religion and whom to marry', says Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has said an adult man is free to choose his religion and decide whom he wishes to marry, holding that such decisions fall within the sphere of individual autonomy and personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. The court made the observations while dealing with a petition involving an interfaith couple who sought protection after facing opposition to their relationship.

Choice belongs to adult

The court observed that once a person attains adulthood, the law recognises his right to make decisions concerning his life, including matters of faith and marriage. It said an adult cannot be prevented from choosing a religion or a partner merely because the decision is opposed by family members or others. The bench emphasised that individual choice in such personal matters must be respected so long as the persons concerned are adults and their decisions are voluntary. The case involved a man who had converted before choosing to marry his partner, with the couple approaching the court seeking protection for their life and liberty.

Court grants protection

After examining the circumstances, the High Court directed the authorities to ensure that the couple was not subjected to harassment or threats. It stressed that the State has a responsibility to safeguard the life and liberty of adults who have voluntarily chosen to live together or marry. The court’s intervention centred on protecting the couple from interference rather than determining whether their personal choices were acceptable to relatives or other individuals.

Personal liberty stressed

The bench underlined that questions of religion and marriage are closely connected with personal autonomy and that an adult is entitled to make such decisions independently. Opposition from relatives, it indicated, cannot by itself justify interference with the choices of consenting adults. At the same time, the court’s observations were made in the context of the particular facts before it and the protection sought by the couple.

The ruling adds to a series of judicial observations emphasising the constitutional protection available to consenting adults in matters involving relationships, marriage and personal faith, particularly when couples approach courts alleging threats or interference from their families.