Do you agree with the demand raised by some sections of society, particularly in the North, to ban marriages within the same gotra?

A bench of justice RM Lodha and justice AK Patnaik in the Supreme Court has sought the government's response on a petition filed by NGO Shakti Vahini, which claims to represent young men and women who want to live "without interference". These youths fear being subjected to torture, or even being killed, to protect the so-called honour of their communities.

A few days ago, the Delhi high court dismissed as withdrawn a petition seeking amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act to prohibit marriages in the same clan (gotra).

A vacation bench of justice SN Dhingra and justice AK Pathak warned that a heavy cost would be imposed on the petitioner, Naresh Kadyan, for wasting the court's time, prompting him to withdraw his plea.

But there is a strong lobby that opposes marriage within the same gotra. Some cite scientific studies that marrying within the same gene pool is bad for the offspring and increases the chances of the children being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. Others insist that marriage is a personal choice and the community cannot dictate whom one should marry or not marry..

Meanwhile, at least 22 youths who married in the same gotra or in defiance of family dictates have been killed in places like Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh since 2007.

Do you think marriages within the same gotra should be banned? Or is marriage too personal a choice?