Expulsion From Knanaya Catholic Church For Marrying Outside Community Unconstitutional, Against Jesus's Teachings : Kerala Court

A civil court in Kerala has ruled that the practice of expelling a member from Knanaya Catholic Church for marrying outside the community is unconstitutional for being violative of right to marry under Article 21 and right to religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.The Additional Sub Court at Kottayam held that the practice of compulsive endogamy in the church is in violation. A civil court in Kerala has ruled that the practice of expelling a member from Knanaya Catholic Church for marrying outside the community is unconstitutional for being violative of right to marry under Article 21 and right to religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. While decreeing all the releifs sought by the plaintiffs, the civil court observed the the "plaintiffs have established that Kottayam diocese is "practicing compulsive endogamy violating Bible, Canon Laws, Particular Laws, Article of faith, Indian Constitution and International Covenants". In the backdrop of aforesaid findings, I am of considered opinion that defendants failed to establish the fact that Church Laws supporting practice of endogamy in Knanaya community and in second defendant, Ext B22 to Ext B29 proved practice of endogamy as a custom among Knanaya Catholics, Ext B3, B13 and Papal Bull dated 29.08.1911 support practice of endogamy in second defendant" Endogamy practice not peaceful The Court also went to the extent of saying that implementation of endogamy in the Kottayam Archeparchy is not peaceful.