Hindu Groups' Protest Cancels Interfaith Couple's Post-Wedding Celebrations In Aligarh

Bajrang Bal was joined by other outfits including Karni Sena for protests against the gathering as it could lead to “more interactions between young men and women of different communities".

An interfaith couple had to cancel their get-together at their home in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh after a Hindu outfit protested against it. The couple returned to their home for the first time after their marriage which was held in the United States.

According to The Indian Express, in March, the couple got married in the presence of their families under the Special Marriage Act and registered their marriage with the Consulate General of India, San Francisco.

Once the invitation cards were distributed, Hindu groups became aware of the gathering planned by both families.

Gaurav Sharma, coordinator of Hindu outfit Bajrang Bal – which started about six years ago – said they were not against the marriage since the two are adults. Sharma said that the group was against the gathering planned on December 21 since it could lead to “more interactions between young men and women of the two different communities”, told The Indian Express. He further said that in their memorandum, they emphasised that they wouldn’t allow the function.

Bajrang Bal was joined by other outfits including Karni Sena and Brahman Maha Sabha, they staged a protest and took out a march to the Collectorate office, where they submitted the memorandum. The Acting Station House Officer of the local police station said that no untoward incidents occurred during the protest.

According to the woman’s father, the invitations were distributed because some people “seemed to be unhappy over the event” they decided to cancel it. As per the report, the family also announced on social media that they called off the event that was planned for December 21 due to unforeseen circumstances.

The couple who work with multinational companies in the US, hail from Aligarh. Due to constraints, they were not able to travel to India for their wedding. The families of the couple decided to travel to the US to attend the ceremony which was held peacefully. Their marriage was solemnised on March 28 under the provisions of the Special Marriage Act and American civil law. In May, once they received the certification, they registered with the Consulate General of India in San Francisco.