20 May 2015 - QA 8

My daughter has married a boy from another religion. My wife holds me responsible for this, since it was my idea to send her for further studies. How is this my fault, what position do I take and how do I get out of all this?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

Everyone has to get out of here, some day. Until one leaves, keep smiling, keep good relations and give love to everyone. Make everyone happy.

Tell your daughter not to leave her religion. She should continue to have faith in her religion and also have respect for the other religion. Explain to her that she should sit with her mother and respect her too.

Pujas, especially Durga puja have a lot of significance for Bengalis. Tell her to come home especially for puja holidays. Lay that down as a condition for her. Many times, when people get married into other religions, they are told to drop their own religions and not celebrate their festivals or follow their rituals; then there is a breakdown in the relationship between both the families. Tell your daughter to celebrate their festival too, and come home for her own celebrations.

Daughters should be able to have their say. Daughters should not live like slaves. In love, there is co-partnering, not slavery or bondage.