New Delhi: The Delhi high court has observed that inter caste unions are in the national interest and must be protected from familial or communal interference. A bench of Justice Sanjeev Narula, while granting police protection to an inter-caste couple on November 4, made the observation referring to a Supreme Court judgement and stated that when two consenting adults decide to marry or cohabit, neither the family nor any community can lawfully obstruct their choice or subject them to pressure, social sanctions or threats.“Such unions, the Supreme Court has observed, are in the national interest and must receive firm protection from any familial or communal interference,” Justice Narula said, as quoted by PTI.The judge also noted that inter-caste marriages perform a valuable constitutional and societal function by promoting integration and reducing caste divisions. He said that the freedom to choose a life partner is an intrinsic part of personal liberty and privacy under Article 21 of the constitution.“Where two consenting adults decide to marry or cohabit, neither family nor community can lawfully obstruct that choice or subject them to pressure, social sanctions, or threats,” the high court said.The inter-caste couple were in a relationship for the past 11 months and intended to get married but their family and relatives opposed their relationship and were issuing threats, prompting them to approach the court for police protection.According to PTI, the couple sought directions to Delhi Police to secure their safety and to prevent interference with their decision to marry.The counsel for the police said that a designated constable’s contact had already been shared with the couple, pursuant to an earlier complaint.The court has directed the station house officer of the jurisdictional police station to conduct a brief threat-assessment of the couple and said that based on the outcome, the officer must take preventive steps permissible in law, including but not limited to appropriate diary entries, patrolling near the couple’s current residence and other measures necessary to deter harassment or intimidation.“If the petitioners report any threat or attempt at interference by respondent nos. 2 to 6 or any other person, the police shall register a DD entry, extend immediate protection, and proceed in accordance with law,” the court said, as quoted in the report.