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The families of runaway lesbian couple Beena Dhama (22) and Savita Rani (24), who had strongly opposed their marriage, finally seem to have accepted the two and their relationship. Except for Beena's maternal uncle, their parents have come to terms with the union and 'pardoned' them.
“Savita's parents as well as mine have accepted our relationship and forgiven us. It was Savita's parents who had agreed initially. Now, my parents too have fallen in line after several media reports. However, my uncle Satbir Singh still has a problem with our marriage and has threatened to shoot both of us,” Beena said.
Friends for over 15 years, the duo had fled their hometown Baghpat in Uttar Pardesh about two months ago and had been staying together in Kasan village near Manesar in Gurgaon.
According to a petition filed before the Gurgaon court, Beena was unmarried prior to July 22 while Savita had tied the knot with one Ombir last December. Her marriage was dissolved in panchayat proceedings held in Nipura tehsil in Baghpat.
While Beena's father Sukhbir Singh is a farmer, Savita's father Jai Parkash works with a private firm in Baghpat.
The couple's lawyer Durgesh Boken had moved a Gurgaon court against nine relatives of Beena, including uncle Satbir Singh, apprehending a threat to their lives.
The court has sent notices to the Haryana police as well as the relatives to appear in court on August 16, Boken said.
Krishanpal Singh, brother-in-law of Beena, who was present in court on Saturday confirmed that her parents had forgiven her and accepted their marriage. “We have no objection to their marriage now,” he said. Savita's family members too said there was no threat to the couple.
Beena and Savita, however, moved into a safe home in the complex of State Council of Education Research and Training under police protection on Saturday. The one-room set has an attached toilet, kitchen and other basic furniture but the runaway couple would have to arrange food on their own.
While the couple had sought women police personnel to be deputed, officials turned down their request and two male guards have been posted for their protection.
Meanwhile, the couple is looking forward in life and say they have the larger responsibility of bringing up four children of Beena's elder brother. He had died in 2007. The children, in the age group of 3 to 10 years, regard Beena as their father and also call her “papa”.
“Savita and I got married to bring up these children. I have been taking care of them ever since my brother died and his wife left them,” said the Class 12 dropout.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NewDelhi/No-threat-to-lesbian-couple-say-families/Article1-727575.aspx