Interfaith Couple Forced to Cancel Wedding Reception in UP Amid Protests
An interfaith couple from Uttar Pradesh faced a difficult situation this week. They had to cancel their wedding reception following protests by right-wing group members. The event was scheduled to take place in Shahjahanpur.
Background of the Couple and Their Marriage
The man is a 27-year-old pharmacist from Shahjahanpur. His wife, aged 30, hails from Delhi and works at a medical firm. They entered into a court marriage in Delhi last September. This legal union took place five months ago.
The couple planned a walima, or wedding reception, for January 11 in Shahjahanpur. They wanted to celebrate their marriage with family and friends. However, trouble began on Sunday morning.
Protests and Police Involvement
Right-wing members staged a protest outside the Kotwali police station in Shahjahanpur. They demanded the cancellation of the walima. The protest created heightened tension in the area.
A police team visited the marriage lawn venue. They spoke with the family. According to the groom's father, the police asked them not to proceed with the event. The family then decided to call off the reception.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi confirmed the police visit. He stated the family informed officers they did not wish to hold the function. The police found the wedding was solemnized under the Special Marriage Act. They reported no untoward incidents.
Complaints and Allegations
On Monday, right-wing members submitted a complaint to the police. They called for an FIR against the walima organizers. They alleged the event could disturb communal harmony and create tension.
Rajesh Awasthi, claiming to be the Braj Prant Vidhi Pramukh of the Hindu Jagran Manch, was part of the protest. He alleged the man's family distributed invitation cards prominently mentioning the woman's name. He called the reception a calculated attempt to provoke the community.
Awasthi also urged authorities to seal the marriage lawn. He wanted legal action against its owner for permitting the event.
Family's Account and Aftermath
The groom's 60-year-old father shared his perspective. He said a small wedding ceremony occurred in Delhi with few attendees. January 11 was his younger daughter's birthday. He planned a gathering that day, combining it with the walima.
Food had been prepared for about 600 guests. The program was set to begin around 7 pm. But around 4 pm, the police arrived and advised against the event. The father claimed right-wing members were also present.
Following the police request, he canceled the program. All the prepared food went to waste. The couple returned to Delhi afterward.
The father denied printing or circulating invitation cards. He said he invited people verbally.
Political and Organizational Responses
BJP's Shahjahanpur district president Shilpi Gupta said she was unaware of the walima cancellation due to protest. She confirmed Awasthi's association with the Hindu Jagran Manch.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions around interfaith marriages in some regions. It raises questions about community harmony and individual rights.
Families planning such events now face additional challenges. They must navigate social pressures and potential protests. The role of police in these situations remains crucial.
This case in Shahjahanpur serves as a recent example. It shows how personal celebrations can become community flashpoints. The couple's experience underscores the complexities of modern relationships in diverse societies.
