Pune: Maharashtra’s First Inter-Caste, Interfaith Matchmaking Centre Launched by ANiS
Pune, 22nd July 2025: In a landmark initiative aimed at promoting social harmony and inclusivity, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANiS) has launched the state’s first inter-caste and interfaith matchmaking centre. This step is seen as a direct response to the growing polarization along caste and religious lines across India and offers a progressive platform for those seeking partners beyond the confines of caste or religion.
The new centre will assist individuals and families who consciously wish to pursue inter-caste, interfaith, or even widow-widower remarriages in registering their profiles. The matchmaking service is free of cost, and the ANiS team will help verify applications, facilitate suitable matches, and encourage marriages under the Special Marriage Act and Satyashodhak tradition, ensuring the process remains secular and legally sound.
A Step Towards Caste Eradication:
The initiative draws inspiration from Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, who believed that “caste is the most deeply rooted superstition,” and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who emphasized that “large-scale inter-caste marriages are essential to annihilate caste.”
ANiS has facilitated hundreds of such marriages across Maharashtra over the years and also runs the state’s first Safe House for inter-caste and interfaith couples at Rahimatpur in Satara. The organization further highlights that both the State and Central Governments offer support schemes for such couples, encouraging societal acceptance.
“There are numerous matrimonial platforms for specific castes and communities, but none for those who reject caste and religion in choosing a life partner,” said Shankar Kanse and Dr. Gyanadev Sarvade, coordinators of the new centre. “This is why ANiS has taken the initiative to provide such a much-needed service—for the first time in Maharashtra.”
Upon registration, applicants are matched thoughtfully, and the team ensures that both parties have made their decision independently and with due consideration.
Individuals interested in registering for the matchmaking service—be it for inter-caste, interfaith, or widow-widower remarriage—are encouraged to contact the centre’s coordinators:
Shankar Kanse (Pimpiri, Tal. Koregaon, Dist- Satara): 99223 55435
Dr. Gyanadev Sarvade, Baramati: 95277 21475
They may also reach out to local ANiS volunteers in their respective areas.
The appeal was collectively issued by senior ANiS state members, including Dr. Hamid Dabholkar, Rahul Thorat, Nandini Jadhav, Prof. Pravin Deshmukh, Milind Deshmukh, Samrat Hatkar, Rambhau Dongre, Mukta Dabholkar, Dr. Ashok Kadam, Rajeev Deshpande, Prakash Ghadgine, Munjaji Kamble, Vinod Vayangankar, Farukh Gawandi, and Anna Kadlaskar.
