Display of weapons banned at weddings
Exhibiting guns, swords illegal under Arms Act
Arms-wielding dancers are a common sight at wedding functions in the Old city and a headache for the Hyderabad police.
Besides the two videos of guests dancing while brandishing guns at wedding functions in Chandrayangutta and Falaknuma, another video surfaced online, in which a teenager was seen dancing with two swords and getting injured. Senior police officials say that people are trying to imitate ‘Arab culture’ to show off at weddings. Police say this is punishable as per the Arms Act.
ACPs have sent out warnings to gun licence holders against displaying firearms at any function. Senior cops say that they have also sent notices to the managements of function halls, asking them not to allow arms on their premises.
“People here are hooked to these dangerous dances and claim that displaying weapons during celebrations are part of their custom. In fact, these martial traditions are copied from countries like Saudi Arabia, where people wield swords or other weapons and dance during celebrations. Even President Donald Trump had to wield a sword and dance during his visit to Saudi,” said Falaknuma Assistant Commissioner of Police Md. Tajuddin Hamed.
Sources say that the ‘talwar shows’ are sometimes performed by teenagers as young as 15 years old.
“Those swords can easily cause serious injuries if mishandled. People show off their revolvers and air guns too, which are also extremely dangerous,” said Sajid Khan, a social worker from Falaknuma.
Sources say many people keep original swords in houses to decorate halls and rooms.
“Most of them are double-edged and brand new. Many buy these swords from Nanded illegally and keep them in their houses,” said a Falaknuma resident.
Police say that they usually book cases against rowdy-sheeters or habitual offenders if they are found possessing swords. “We are aware that there are many people who keep swords in their houses, but we do not usually raid those houses as they are decorative swords,” said ACP Falaknuma, adding that if people take them out and swing them during celebrations, cops can take action against them.
As part of bringing awareness among the people, police have already started warning various stakeholders.
“We are sending notices to function hall owners and event organisers asking them not to allow the arms inside their premises. The arms licence holders are also warned not to take out their firearms,” said a senior police official from South Zone.
ACPs have warned gun licence holders against displaying firearms at any function. Notices have been sent to owners of function halls too