Arranged Love Pledge

Students of Mahila Arts and Commerce College for girls in Maharashtra, took a pledge on Valentine’s Day: “I will not fall in love with anyone, never have an affair, nor enter into a love marriage.” The oath also includes “I have complete faith in my parents” (suggesting arranged marriage). It was apparently done to curb violence against women. Now, according to a Princeton University report, the percentage of physical violence in love marriage is 32 per cent, compared to 24.3 per cent in arranged marria­ges. But in case of sexual violence, the percentage is 19.4 for love and 26.2 for arranged.