It is immoral to take away someone's right to love and express it — Swami Raghevendra

Love, Morality, and the Right to Choose

A Valentine’s Reflection by Swami Raghevendra

(Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty/The Wire)

Discussions about love and relationships in India are often charged with debates over tradition, culture, and morality. While some see love as a personal right, others frame it as a social and moral issue—policed in public spaces and scrutinized in the name of preserving cultural values. But is love really at odds with Indian tradition? And what do our own histories and epics tell us about the role of love in a thriving society?

Swami Raghavendra, in a powerful essay published by The Wire Hindi, challenges the idea that moral policing and the suppression of love are acts of virtue. Instead, he argues, they are displays of frustration and narrow-mindedness—devoid of love and compassion themselves. Through a fascinating reading of Valmiki’s Ramayana, he reminds us that a society where lovers are absent is not a moral utopia, but a desolate and lifeless place. The liveliness of gardens, the joy of companionship—these were seen as signs of a thriving society in ancient texts, not a threat to it.

This is a timely and urgent conversation, especially as moral policing continues to make headlines in India, with couples chased from public spaces, harassed, and even attacked in the name of tradition. But, as Swami Raghavendra highlights, Indian history and culture have long embraced festivals of love, choice, and togetherness …

We invite you to read this thought-provoking piece in both Hindi and English:

Original Hindi article on The Wire

Google Translated English version

At a time when love is still policed in parks and public spaces, this reflection urges us to reclaim the right to love—not just for individuals, but for a society that flourishes when people are free to choose, express, and celebrate their relationships without fear.

Swami Raghavendra, a member of Satya Dharma Samvad, an initiative dedicated to fostering open and honest dialogue on faith, ethics, and social justice, brings a deeply reflective perspective to this issue. His work emphasizes the importance of reclaiming religious and cultural narratives from those who misuse them to justify exclusion and oppression, advocating instead for a vision of morality rooted in compassion, dignity, and personal freedom.