Thiruvananthapuram: Star-shaped lights glow in the courtyard of the ‘Casteless House’. The casteless family from Punalur is in a festive mood, welcoming Christmas. Not just Christmas—Vishu and Eid are all celebrated here in the same spirit. “Living beyond caste and religion is a necessity in a secular country. Many people only think about it; we put it into practice. One must recognise the values upheld by Christ that transcend religion. Those values should be celebrated,” said Casteless Junior.

This story goes back many years. Agnes, who was kept under house arrest for the ‘crime’ of loving a man from another religion, was brought together with Fazaluddin through a habeas corpus order. Fazaluddin Alikunj, a Muslim, and Agnes Gabriela, a Christian, had a son. As a symbol of their struggle for love, they named their first child ‘Casteless’. They named their home ‘Casteless House’ as well. What followed became a continuing story. All subsequent generations grew up—both in official records and in life—without distinctions of caste or religion. The second child, born during the Emergency period, is Casteless Junior. The third is Shine Casteless.

When Casteless and Junior were too young to grasp its meaning, Fazaluddin had told them that, over the years, many people would carry this name. As they grew older, continuing a casteless identity became their own conscious decision. They too chose partners from different religions.

Casteless and his family now live in Dubai. Alfa Casteless and Indian Casteless are the children of the Casteless–Sabitha couple. Alfa Junior Casteless and Agna Junior Casteless are the children of Casteless Junior and his wife Rajalakshmi, a ration inspector. Alaida Shine Che Guevara is the daughter of Shine Casteless and Che Guevara; Shine Casteless is a teacher. Casteless Junior was an active participant at the Sivagiri Conclave “Gurusagaram 2025” organised by Mathrubhumi.