CHENNAI: In a state that claims to be progressive, caste divide is rearing its ugly head once again. Reversing a recent positive trend, caste and communal leaders have been warning good samaritans against helping distressed couples of different castes from getting married and also issuing diktats against love marriages.

While a case was slapped on a Vanniyar (a most backward caste) leader recently for openly warning against inter-caste marriages, the Kongu Vellalar Gounder Peravai, dominant in the state's western belt, has urged its members against inter-caste or inter-religious marriages. A Brahmin association has also called on its members to take a strong stand against inter-religious unions.