Quote:KOLKATA, India, May 11 - Police in eastern India have rescued a Muslim man who had been shackled in chains for a month for marrying his childhood lover against the wishes of his father and village clerics, authorities said on Friday.

Raghu Amin, 21, was locked in a dingy room by his father in a village in the state of West Bengal after he publicly announced his marriage to 18-year-old Sehnaaz Khatoon, who came from a poorer and lower class family, police said.

"He was chained throughout and even served food in this condition as punishment," said police officer Jay Biswas.

Police came to Raghu's rescue on Thursday evening in Baduria village, 70 km (40 miles) north of the state capital Kolkata, after his wife lodged a complaint.

Raghu's father has been arrested on charges of wrongful confinement and police said they were looking for some village clerics who they suspected were also involved.

In India, most marriages are still arranged by parents of the bride and groom who often look for compatibility in religion, caste and class. Couples breaking from this tradition are sometimes ostracised by their families and even face violence.

Are arranged marriages any better than the ones we choose? What are your thoughts.

I suppose in some cases arranged marriages can be more successful. Parents have more experience than younger ones so may know what attributes to look for in a prospective marriage mate.

This, however, is a disgrace in my view. What happened to love within the family arrangement?

Quote:shackled in chains for a month for marrying his childhood lover against the wishes of his father and village clerics,