The simple act of falling in love opens up a world of emotions and reactions which sometimes culminate in crime -- the death of the couple. Even if they escape death, lovers who go against religious and community barriers still have to face harassment and censure from society and, due to this pressure, rejection from their families
Ghalib said that Ishq par zor nahiin hai yeh woh aatish Ghalib, ke lagaaye na lage aur bujhaaye na bane (Love is that kind of fire which is beyond control, oh Ghalib, it is a fire you cannot kindle and one you cannot extinguish even if you want to). While popular culture has encouraged the idea that love is something which logically culminates in the happy union of the two people involved, reality tells us otherwise.
Manoj and Babli both Jats were from the same gotra. In love, they knew that their community would oppose their marriage. They married secretly, and when Babli's family learnt about it they vowed vengeance on the duo. The couple had no option but to flee. In spite of getting a protection order from court, they were pursued and killed. Manoj's mother Chanderpati and sister Seema have been fighting a battle for justice ever since.
Members of the Meham Chaubisi Khap are invited to speak about the khap panchayat system. They are not connected to the Manoj-Babli case, but have been asked to provide insights into the system. The khap members say that our forefathers have laid down certain rules, and those who go against those rules are responsible for the consequences.
When everyone and everything, even the law enforcement machinery, is against two people who love each other, what recourse do they have? There is a force that is on the side of such star-crossed couples, and it is an organization called the Love Commandos
Alka comes from a Marwari family and went against society to marry Uday, who was from outside the community. Her family had to accede to society's pressure and could not knowledge their own daughter. Until, on their 25th wedding anniversary, the family finally held a function to celebrate Alka's and Uday's wedding. Even if delayed, change is possible and it does not hurt anyone.
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Aamir Khan responds to Deepak Negi who posted a beautiful message of hope as a response to the female foeticide episode of Satyamev Jayate. Aamir says that he is touched by his response and wish of having a daughter as his firstborn. Even if one girl is saved because of SMJ, he says the purpose is achieved. Aamir also requests for more such responses from viewers and expresses his joy that people are taking the cause further by spreading the message.
Family and police did everything they could to drive Lokendra Singh and Fehmeeda Mansuri apart -- but their love prevailed even through beatings and threats.
Even after having lost her son, Rizwan's mother is sure that he did not do anything wrong by falling in love with and marrying Priyanka. She says love is important and necessary -- everything works because of love, and without love there is nothing.
Poisoned, thrashed, dragged behind a jeep, strangled... Manoj's sister Seema speaks of the terrible fate that befell Manoj and Babli.
Manoj's sister Seema says she is fighting not only so that Manoj and Babli should get justice -- but in the hope that this will help other Manoj-Bablis who are facing the same persecution and danger.
A member of one of Haryana's khap panchayats explains that -- Judiciary mein judgment hota hai, nyay nahiin hota.
A member of one of Haryana's khap panchayats says that the khap panchayat's decision in the Manoj-Babli case was not wrong. Khap law is what matters to villagers, as they don't understand written law, he says.
Activist Dr D R Chaudhry says that traditions are like stagnant water, they become stale and start smelling bad if they do not move with the changing times. Khaps must progress, he says.
Why does the government not take action against khap panchayats? Dr D R Chaudhry says that in some states, politicians are afraid of going against the might of the khaps. But in Rajasthan, the state administration has come down strictly on khaps, and their diktats have lessened
Founder of Love Commandos, Sanjay Sachdev, encourages young people to not be afraid. "Garv se kaho hum premi hain," he says.
When an 18-year-old can choose the prime minister of the country, why can't he choose his own life partner, asks Love Commandos founder Sanjay Sachdev.
Fehmeeda and Lokendra have been happily married for more than two years now. Fehmeeda asks her family to give up their hatred, and accept her. "I still love you, I am still your Fehmeeda," she says in a tearful appeal for parental love.
Aamir Khan asks parents to listen to their children's hopes and aspirations -- and youngsters to take their parents into confidence and trust them.
When two adults decide to marry and want to spend their lives together, does society or their families have the right to break the marriage or prevent it from happening through force?
Memories of home and hearth knock at the door of the mind, but how can that call be answered when one has been driven away?
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