The untold story

Dilip's entire family was shocked and grief-stricken Their relatives, neighbours and all of them who knew the family closely were dumbstruck. The news just was not digestible. Mr. Dlilps's daughter had committed suicide. She was a young, beautiful and educated girl Nobody could understand what compelled her to take this drastic step even while her marriage was fixed with a very handsome and well placed boy.                  

 Now let us get into the happening. Stuti ( Dilip's daughter) was pursuing her CA at a firm that was run by a friend of Mr. Dilip. The firm was close to her home and so was not at all an issue. . She was happy that her studies were going on well. During those days she observed an young man following her everyday enroute her home.

Slowly they got attracted to each other and within no time they fell in love The young man was an apprentice with a law firm. Both of them were head over heels in love and did not realise that Caste is an important aspect to get married with the blessings of the families. So is the story of every couple in love. After a few months of courtship both of them had to attend wedding at a common friends place. Stuti introduced her friend (Chinmay) to her parents and they understood that something was cooking between both of them. They seemed ok with what was happening. But Chinmay was being closely observed by an elderly relative of Stuti who was later introduced to Chinmay as Stutis paternal uncle who was revered and respected by everyone in the family.

His words were a dictat followed by everyone in the family. Sensing that Stuti and Chinmay were close to each other, he called Chinmay and after a short conversation enquired his background, job, income etc. As Chinmay was about to go to another corner of the room near Stuti he asked a question that changed the entire story leading to the tragic incident that led to Stutis death He asked Chinmay 'What is your caste'?Chinmay replied I am a Hindu . Immediately the old man's way of talking changed . He got up and just walked away from there Chinmay was confused but in the mood of the ongoing celebrations he did not bother and forgot the whole episode. After a few days he noticed Stuti distancing herself from Chinmay and avoided him whenever they happened to meet each other.

Chinmay was perplexed as to what the reason was. One afternoon he followed Stuti and confronted her as to why she was avoiding him. In reply Stuti started weeping and narrated as to how their caste differences made her family reluctant to allow her to continue seeing Chinmay and it was even a big no for their impending marriage. This was the decision taken by her paternal uncle whose words were an order to be followed by all . So, Stuti was getting engaged to another boy from her Caste who was earning well and belonged to a well off family. Hearing this Chinmay's dream castle came crumbling down. With no words left he left that place leaving Stuti in tears. The new groom to whom Stuti got engaged was Tushar. He was on cloud nine after getting engaged to Stuti. Their marriage was fixed after a few weeks from then During that time Tushar and Chinmay happened to attend a wedding of their friend(common friend) Tushar had already kept a photo of Stuti in his wallet and he showed her photograph to those sitting close to him in the marriage hall.

There was another person in that group who knew both Tushar and Chinmay. On seeing Stutis photo in Tushars wallet he narrated the entire story after Chinmay had left the venue. Now this was the last straw. Tushar went home and disclosed the entire matter to his parents and asked them to call off the marriage. His parents were startled as to what the matter was. Tushar was adamant and without disclosing any reason he insisted on cancelling the marriage . On learning this Stuti took the drastic step of ending her life. Chinmay was unaware what had happened that led to such bizarre situation. Chinmays father was doubtful whether his son was the reason for this unfortunate turn of events. He even gave a tight slap blaming him for all that had transpired. But Chinmay did not utter a single word.

He kept quiet and continued his job and other activities silently. After a week of this routine Chinmays father understood that his son was not at fault. He accompanied his son to express their condolences to Stutis parents . Stutis father on seeing Chinmay said something that he could not hear clearly as he was grief stricken. But, Tushar who was present there heard it and replied loudly that whatever has happened was very unfortunate but it had nothing to do with Chinmay The entire episode was because of a untold episode that created so much of misunderstanding leading to all the untoward incidences Whatever might be the reason the main culprit of this entire event is the Caste system that has been ingrained in all our minds. People go to any level to prove their caste is superior to that of others.

We see so many honour killings, lynchings, murders and whatnot, due to caste system. This trend continues even in the 21 st century when we have so many technical advancement educational upliftment , progressive awareness (so-called) etc. But when we come to the Castesystem we go back to the dark ages and behave so barbarically. Let us question ourselves and try our best to stop this practice and save many such Stutis and Chinmays from leading their lives as per their wish.