The Love Commandos: Cupid's Reserve Forces

When Cupid’s arrows are no longer enough, you might need back-up.

The Love Commandos are a fabulous organisation in India which helps rescue the young and amorous from parents who disapprove – often violently – of their relationships.

It was written about quite a bit when it was launched in 2010, particularly in the context of honour killings, which had been a big story in the media at the time.

In researching an article for The National recently (see below), I found it interesting to hear that the majority of problems were rooted more in the day-to-day reality of Indian families – it was not just people stuck in ultra-conservative and violent social settings that needed the help of the Commandos. In fact, the majority of cases stemmed from the general strength of the family unit in India, and the still-overwhelming acceptance of the idea that parents should choose their child’s marital partner.

The idea of arranged marriages is something that seems absolutely alien to western minds, raised on the idea that love should transcend material and social barriers. Culture has taught us again and again – from Shakespeare to Pretty Woman – that love should overcome issues of class and wealth and ancient grudges between feuding families.

In reality, though, Cupid is facing a major crisis in the west, where divorce rates are through the roof. A system that expects perfection from our partners, but relies on a largely random selection process, clearly has its own problems.

In India, a compromise is being hashed out by the emerging middle class. Combining familial traditions and the influence of liberal western notions of personal freedom, many youngsters are involving their parents in the selection process, while still keeping the final decision for themselves.

If you are an Indian needing the help of the Love Commandos, you can call their helpline on 09313784375.

The organisation, which is entirely run by volunteers, is in dire need of financial support, so if you can help, please contact the same number.

The girl climbed through the window of her college classroom and ran across the courtyard where a friend was waiting to help her over the 15-foot perimeter wall. On the other side was Govinda, one of the commandos, ready to catch her as she leapt from the top of the wall.

Her brother had seen her escape, and was already in pursuit as she was bundled into the waiting getaway car and sped out of town. There was no time to wait for Sonu Rangi, another of the commandos, who was on the other side of the college. He had no choice but to run, sprinting across town to the railway tracks where, by a stroke of luck, he was able to jump aboard a slow-moving train.

It sounds like a scene from a Bollywood movie, but this is the real world of the Love Commandos, a volunteer group dedicated to rescuing the young and amorous from the often violent clutches of families that disapprove of their relationship.

This recent rescue mission took place in Faridabad, a small town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, had eloped and married in secret a few weeks before.

"She was from a Brahmin family and they disapproved because the boy was from a lower caste," said Harsh Malhotra, a Love Commandos coordinator who helped organise the operation.

"The family convinced her to return saying they would accept the marriage, but that was a lie. They kicked the boy out of her house and kept her locked up in her room. They only let her out for college. The boy twice attempted suicide, until he heard about our organisation."

Within days, the Love Commandos had dispatched their team to Faridabad. The couple are now in hiding in another part of the country and are expecting their first child in the new year.

Read the rest here...