UP: Homecoming function of US-based interfaith couple cancelled after Hindu outfit protests
"Since some people seemed to be unhappy over the event, we decided to cancel it," said the woman's father.
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The Hindu outfits learned about the get-together only after the invitation was distributed by both the families. (Representative image)A GET-TOGETHER slated for Saturday to celebrate the return of an interfaith couple to their home in Aligarh for the first time after their marriage in the United States has been cancelled by their parents due to protests by members of a Hindu outfit, police said.
The couple married in March in the presence of their families under the Special Marriage Act and registered their marriage with the Consulate General of India, San Francisco.
The Hindu outfits learned about the get-together only after the invitation was distributed by both the families. Soon, members of different outfits staged a protest and took out a march to the Collectorate office, where they submitted a memorandum to a senior administrative officer.
“We are not against their marriage as they are adults, but we opposed the get-together scheduled for December 21. Such functions could lead to more interactions between young men and women of the two different communities,” said Gaurav Sharma, coordinator of Hindu outfit Bajrang Bal, adding that in the memorandum, they emphasised that they would not allow the function.
Gaurav Sharma described the Bajrang Bal as a “Hindu organisation that was formed around six years ago.” Other organisations, including Karni Sena and Brahman Maha Sabha, also joined the protest, added Sharma.
The husband and wife, both employed with multinational companies in the United States, hail from Aligarh. Due to certain constraints, the couple was unable to travel to India for their wedding. “As a result, both families traveled to the US to attend the ceremony, which took place peacefully. The marriage was solemnized on March 28 under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act and American civil law. After obtaining certification, it was registered with the Consulate General of India in San Francisco and later, in May,” said the woman’s father, a businessman.
The couple recently returned to India and their families planned a get-together on December 21. Invitations were distributed. “Since some people seemed to be unhappy over the event, we decided to cancel it,” said the woman’s father. The family also announced their decision on social media, saying that the event has been called off due to unforeseen circumstances, said a source.
The Acting Station House Officer of the local police station said that no untoward incidents occurred during the protest.
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