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Journalism of Courage
When Jayalakshmi, 21, agreed to an arranged marriage with Murugesan, 30, she did not know her wedding would become the stuff films are made of.
On Monday, Jayalakshmi put her foot down and showed Murugesan the door following a quarrel over three sovereigns and a motorcycle in the dowry. The bride married a guest at the wedding and made her erstwhile suitor pay back everything his family had taken.
Jayalakshmi’s widowed mother Sendurkani, 41, says: ‘‘Since the day they got engaged in September last, Murugesan’s family’s demands had been growing. They did not ask for anything initially, but later demanded 40 sovereigns of gold, Rs 30,000 in cash, wooden furniture and a Hero Honda motorcycle.’’
Jayalakshmi’s family managed to fulfil a large part of the demands: 37 sovereigns, the cash and the motorcycle. However, on Sunday night, even as the reception was drawing to a close, the family of the groom — Murugesan is a temporary driver with the State Transport Corporation — insisted that the remaining three sovereigns be bought immediately and the bike — which was pending delivery — be displayed at the wedding.
Heated arguments continued till the next morning. Finally, Jayalakshmi put her foot down. ‘‘My daughter called him a coward and said she would not marry him,’’ says Sendurkani.
Police were called in and a complaint lodged. Murugesan’s family talked of a ‘‘compromise’’ but the bride stood her ground. It was then that Tamaraikannan, a distant relative of Jayalakshmi, agreed to marry her.
The newly-weds soon lodged a complaint at Virugambakkam police station, and demanded that Murugesan’s family pay back the Rs 30,000 that had already been given to them.
