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Hundreds of weddings cancelled in Kashmir after violence rocks Valley

Priyanka Mukherjee | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:49 IST

Not only did violence in Jammu and Kashmir mar Eid celebration in the Valley but it also disrupted numerous wedding celebrations. Couples across the state have been forced to cancel or postpone their wedding, thanks to the current situation in the Valley.

In fact, today's edition of Greater Kashmir has a page full of classified advertisements of people announcing the cancellation of major occasions including weddings and prayer meets.

Photo: Greater Kashmir

A resident of Srinagar, who was forced to postpone his daughter's wedding said he had to push the wedding as guests were unable to travel due to the curfew imposed in several parts of the state.

Deeply saddened with the ongoing agitation, Ashraf Khan, who had to cancel his son's wedding, compared Kashmir to 'Zibahkhana' (slaughterhouse).

"This is a very bad situation in Kashmir. If I have to describe in one word, Kashmir has become a Zibahkhana. 60-70 people have been injured. A number of youth have lost their eye sight due to injuries sustained during protests. Several others have sustained serious bullet injuries. Wedding is a season of merriment. How can I have a happy celebration when there is blood in every street?" Khan told Catch.

Adding that he did not care about the monetary losses incurred, he added, "This is not about the money. It is about valuing human life. Be it from any religion, human life is priceless."

This is not the first time Ashraf Khan had to cancel a major celebration. While speaking to Catch, he recollected that back in July 2010, he had to face similar a situation during his other son's wedding.

Most people are now saying that marriage ceremonies will be performed with utmost simplicity.

Another resident of Kashmir, who had to cancel both his daughters' wedding said all the preparations of the bride and groom will remain the same. They had, however, called 300-400 guests who will not be able to make it to the wedding because of the curfew. He also said they cannot be oblivious to the situation in Kashmir and just go ahead with the wedding.

"Indian weddings are planned for an entire year. However, we are cutting short the programmes planned and are not going to have a grand wedding. We have a certain responsibility towards the society. If people are getting killed how can we go ahead with a grand wedding?" the bride's father said on conditions of anonymity.

Hundreds of wedding celebrations were planned post Eid. Sadly, most were forced to either cancel or postpone the festivities and conduct them in a simpler manner.

Within the past four days, 23 people have been killed and another 700 people injured in clashes in Kashmir between security forces and a violent mob after Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, was shot dead on 8 July.

First published: 12 July 2016, 6:04 IST