J&K govt bans big fat weddings
It has imposed a ban on sending dry fruits and sweets with invitation cards and laid norms for disposing of leftover food and non-decomposing items.
The minister said: “Law is same for everyone and would be applied to all, irrespective, of his or her status in society. District magistrates have been ordered to strictly implement the order and punish violators.” He said a relaxation of 40 days has been given to those who have already distributed invitation cards and have made arrangements for functions. The order will come into force from April 1.
The restrictions would be applicable in both Jammu and Kashmir regions. While the wedding season is almost coming to an end in Jammu, marriages take place between May and October in Kashmir valley.
The J&K government said use of big generators sets, high pitch sound amplifiers/loudspeakers, lighting systems and crackers and disposing of the waste is resulting in air and water pollution. It added that bursting of crackers and loud music, mostly during weddings, causes inconvenience to the older people and students.
This is not the first time restrictions have been imposed on the number of guests and dishes served in weddings and related functions in the state.
In 2004, the Jammu and Kashmir high court stayed the state government’s Guest Control Order. The order, passed in October 2004, restricted the scale of hospitality, the preparation of dishes and the number of guests at weddings and related ceremonies. The order was challenged in a writ petition. The petitioners said they had already booked banquet halls and distributed invitation cards to their relatives within and outside the state.
While in the Jammu region weddings are known for their extravagant celebrations, Kashmiri weddings are famous for the wazwan meals that are served to the guests. While a regular wazwan during weddings has at least 15 non-vegetarian dishes, the feast served to the groom’s family can go up to 25.
Manzoor Ahmad, a 30-yearold, who earns Rs 4,500 a month, is set to get married in the summer this year is happy about the order. “The rich have no problem but people like us are forced to follow. A marriage in Kashmir can leave you in huge debts,’’ Ahmad said.