From Indias National Crime database (https://ncrb.nic.in/ ) when I checked last( 2010 Stats), State of Haryana is #1 in dowry, marriage related deaths.
Personally, I have been outside India for several years now but have travelled to every State in India and have some close friends in Haryana ( Jaats ). It is my personal observation that in State of Haryana, matters of family name, caste is held in high esteem and people are willing to give up their lives in the name of protecting and preserving family pride.
What do you see in common in the two replies ?
@Shonne > Either have the guts to marry or forget about it
@Ashish > Muster the courage to marry against the wishes of your family
Do you have these traits ?
If you sense that the mis-match of caste is going to be a issue and the girls family is likely to retaliate, you are not going to be a loser by walking away from this relationship but would have saved your own life and the girls.
If you have the education and proffessional standing like good job, perks that can potentially win the respect of the girls family, then take slow steps and use a third party to respectfully approach the other party like is done in Indian culture. Eloping business may not fly.
The following scenarious could develop - anticipate and act accordingly. A peice of paper from the District court would not prevent the enraged and potentially less educated relatives of yours or hers.
1. You marry her and live in the same town where you are currently staying.
- This could threaten your life or her life. Are you prepared to protect yourself and her ? Reiterate - peice of court paper is not protection.
2. You marry her and move out of town. Following your departure, the two families enagage in war.
-Your parents or her parents are targetted in the name of family pride. Are you or your wife prepared for this situation. Will you get attached to your parents and dump your wife should something happen to your parents, likewise, will your wife dump you and run back to her parents ?