About Us

WHO WE ARE:

Dhanak of Humanity is a not-for-profit organization mostly comprising interfaith and inter-caste couples. Dhanak, founded by a few interfaith couples, began as a support group in 2004. It was registered in 2012 under the Societies Registration Act.

Dhanak has evolved organically, and over the years it has emerged as a Champion organization working for the promotion of Right to Choice in the matters of Marriage and Relationships. It works against Honour-Based Crimes and Forced Marriages in India. Dhanak’s unique footing, passion, and experience drives the core team.

 

Dhanak is the only organization in India working on a spectrum of issues and challenges faced by interfaith couples. In the last few years, there has been a marked increase in the number of inter/intra-caste couples seeking support.

Over the years Dhanak has touched the lives of over 1300 couples. Dhanak’s expertise developed as a result of learnings based on real-life experiences of struggling couples; be it dealing with their own value system and stereotypes, their families, or with the administration and legal systems.

Dhanak’s members volunteer to support new couples and families whenever and with all possible means.

WHAT WE DO:
SUPPORT TO ASPIRING COUPLES:
  • Counselling & Guidance to Aspiring Couples
  • Legal Guidance and Aid to Aspiring Couples
  • Protection, Support and Financial aid to Couples in need
  • Facilitation for Marriage Solemnization & Registration
SERVICES TO INTER-RELIGIOUS/CASTE COUPLES AND FAMILIES:
  • Registration and Solemnization under Special Marriage Act
  • Protection and Legal support for prevention of Honour crimes and safety
  • Reconciliation with Parents
  • Facilitate stay at Government Safe House for Couples in Need of Protection
  • Linkage with Support Group for Counselling & Support
  • Perspective Building on issues related to interfaith & gender-just living and universal human values  and Support System
  • Volunteering Opportunity
SENSITIZATION AND AWARENESS BUILDING:
  • Right to Choose
  • Against Honour Based Crimes and Forced Marriage
  • Marriage without Religious Conversion
  • Gender Equality in Relationships
  • Awareness on Provisions under the Civil Marriage (Special Marriage Act)
ADVOCACY & NETWORKING:
  • Amendment of Special Marriage Act and changes in State Rules
  • Demand for an Act against Honour-Based Crimes
  • Demand for Homes for Couples for Security and Protection
  • CHAYAN: A consortium of organizations working on Right to Choose, convened by Dhanak
  • Forum of Parents and responsible citizens for intervention in mixed cases
RESOURCE CENTRE:
  • Collection of secondary and primary data related to marriage from different states of India
  • Collection of secondary data related to incentives given to mixed marriages by state governments.

Our Story

Dhanak is an Urdu word for rainbow, which is a beautiful yet rare phenomenon. Similarly, interfaith/caste marriages are not common in our society. Just as rich colours get together to complete a rainbow, we believe that the differences in our religious backgrounds are like different hues that add to the richness of our lives. Not only can we co-exist, we can also enhance life’s quality thanks to the diversity that comes along due to the differences in our religious identities.

Our journey began in 2005 when a few interfaith couples decided to get together with the intention to form a forum which we decided to name as Dhanak. The idea was to help people with similar backgrounds to come together and form a support structure for each other at small group & individual levels. More importantly, we wanted to counter the spread of communalism in the society.

We believe that differences in religious backgrounds bring with it some unique issues and experiences, and we understand these well. We are confident that there are many such people who believe strongly in our vision and wish to be a part of it and support it.

We invite all to join us as “Friends of Dhanak”. Dhanak also looks forward to being associated as “Networking Partners” with likeminded groups and organizations that share Dhanak’s overall perspective of universal peace & harmony.

188 thoughts on “About Us”

  1. Respected sir I m miss Shamali . I m from SC category and he is from OBC (vanjari).We r in relationship since 3 yrs. We both love each other very much he told his parents about our relationship but his parents r not ready to accept my Caste. They have started to search for a bride for him. His family members are making him emotionally blackmail so that he will not marry with me. Plz I need ur support to convince his parents. I haven’t told yet to my parents. After clearing his side I will convince to my parents. I m facing depressed situation. We both can’t live without each other. Plz help urgently.

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  3. Ours is a inter religieon marriage , I am a muslim, my Mrs is Christian, I am haveing two kids one daughter , and son, Both are well setteled, daughter is a Engineer, Son is a product Manager, Both of names are Gulzar, Altaf

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  5. Sir
    I want to do love marriage but our family is not accepting so please if you can help me …I am under depression …..I can go to any extent ….
    I am kushwaha and she is belongs to shaw family
    Any help sir …..

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  6. He’ll sir I am Harahitt pandey I am from (U.P) prayagraj sir ma jis sa pyar krta hu vo muslim family sa hai ur ham dono ka ghar vala relationship accept ng kar raha hai ham dono ek dusra sa shaadi krna chahta hai but family vala hona nhi da raha h poz help us sir 🙏

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  7. Sir Main uttar pradesh ka rhne wala hu aur main ek ladki se bhut pyar krta hu,hm dono ek saal bad shadi krne ke liye agree hain ,but dikkat ye hain ki main OBC se hu aur wo SC category se .. usne apni mummy ko bta diya hai aur wo agree hai, but use drr hai ki uske papa nhi manenge,aur wo isi baat ko lekar pareshan rhti hai…sir ,main usse bhut pyar karta hu,aur hm dono shadi krna chahte hain,sir hme uske papa ko mnane ke liye kya krna chahiye… please help me sir.

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  8. My name is shweta yadav from saharanpur (U.P.) I have send you a mail. Please reply and help me asap. I have send the details in mail. My query is regarding of intercaste marriage’s inacceptance by parents. Please help me soon.

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  11. Please help me… I need your helpto convenience my parents on intercaste marrige ..I m 23 yrs girl (shivanshi vashisth) from meerut Uttar Pradesh..I m in a relationship with a boy of another caste from last 5years ..my parents are not agreeing for my marriage..even they are forcing me to leave that boy..i am feeling very helpless ..I think I will end my life .

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  12. Hi Sir this is Adityachary from Hyderabad… I need your help regarding intercaste marriage… I have sent you mail regarding my situation… Please check and help us… Thank you..!

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  13. sir m kisi se pyar krti hu and he also loves me hm dono ne decide kiya tha ki apni family ko job lgne ke bad btayenge kyunki m rasthan ki hu vo hyderabad ka lakin koi reason ki vjh se uske ghar pr pta chal gya or uski family man nhi rhi m mere ghar pr abhi bta nhi sakti kyunki bina job ke mere ghar pr bilkul nhi manene uski family uski shadi kisi or se karna chahte h hm dono apni family ko hurt nhi krna chahte but we want marry to each other mkya kru i can’t understand we don’t have same cast

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  14. Hi Team,
    I’m manvi. I’m in a relationship with a guy for the last 2 two years and we decided to get married with parents blessings last year. His parents accepted us however due to my family background and relatives my parents were not at all ready for the marriage. It took me one year of fighting and resisting other proposals till they finally agreed for this. They aren’t happy with this marriage, they met the guy but didn’t like him. It’s 4 months to our marriage but they still are very very hurt and upset about this marriage. They haven’t informed any relatives yet and are scared that they’ll be isolated from the whole family. I feel worried about their situation and myself being the reason. I and my boyfriend are thinking of ending our relationship seeing the situation. However it’s difficult to imagine life without him. But if my parents aren’t happy I don’t be able to remain happy either. What should I do

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    • I will be a stupid decision to give up your relationship for sake of your parents now…you must have done it before the marriage… now, don’t be in guilt and blame yourself for the situation of parents. They will never be able to disclose your marital status to anybody… it is advisable that you make things easy for them by disclosing it yourself….you can start posting your photos with your husband on your facebook and whatsaap account…they will request you to stop it but eventually, it is going to help you to live and lead your married life without any fear and guilt…it will also improve your relationship with your husband….

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  15. I want marriage muslim girl ,please suggest marriage type ,Hindu marriage act/ muslim marriage act / special marriage act .and process of documentation

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  17. Hello
    I am a christian and my partner is a muslim (atheist ). Its been 2 years for our relationship and now my parents are against it. I have read about your service of family counselling. Could you help us. My family is threatening me with suicide. I am 23 and he is 26

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  18. Hi I’m Ankita and I’m a Hindu. I’m in love with a Christian boy who’s converted. I need serious help

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  19. I nishant singh belong to dalit family and my girlfriend broke the 7 year old relationship due to family underpressure who belong to obc caste. Please help me. I am very depressed and attmpted suicide. Please help me and give me a sun ray

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  20. Hi, I’m srujan from Karnataka State, shimoga district ,I belongs to a dalit family , my girlfriend is Muslim we are really scared to get married bcz the girls family is financially stable and can even plan easily to Kill both of us please support us

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    • Dear Rahul, please check the received response from Dhanak to your mail. You are expected to share some basic information about you and your partner….please do the needful so that we can help you in your crisis…

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  22. Hi, i have already dropped u an e mail regarding my query. Kindly go through it and reply for the same. I shall be grateful to you.

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  23. Hello sir I am Gobinda Sahu from bargarh. Sir i need your help . Sir me and my patner very sirious to our relationship sir please help me.
    Thank you

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  24. my self Daksh dutt nd i am belong to muzaffarnagar u.p.me and my partner very serious for our relationship but we are different caste.i want help u plzzzz

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  25. Myself aniket umesh giri from pune Maharashtra I have been into relationship with shivani sunil dhotre from past 4 years we have been struggling to make our parents to understand about marriage as shivani’s family is into criminal background we have been lockdown in our houses from past 3 days I need dhanak to help us and protect us as soon as possible

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  26. I NEED YOUR HELP FOR INTER-RELIGION MARRIAGE…..AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE…..BECUASE I AM LOSTING MY LOVE DUE TO HER MARRIAGE WITH ANOTHER PERSON WE CAN SAY THAT FORCED MARRIAGE…..SO PLZZ SIR AND MADAM HELP US

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  30. dear sir we need your help for our inter religious married , plss sir reply me as soon as possible because her family force her to get marry someone next couple of month

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