Hindu-Muslim wedding: Radicals try to impose bandh despite nod denial

Mandya, Apr 17: Even though the Mandya district administration and police denied permission for bandh called by radical Hindutva groups in protest against an inter-religion wedding, anti-social elements made attempts to forcefully impose bandh and trigger violence in parts of the district on Saturday.

District police have initiated a series of measures including arresting troublemakers ahead of the grand wedding ceremony of Shakeel Ahmed and Ashita alias Shaista Sultan on Sunday.

After BJP, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) launched protests against paediatrician H.V. Narendra Babu's daughter's marriage with businessman Mr. Shakeel, the Swabhimani Vokkaligara Sene (SVS) too opposed the marriage. SVS' view is that the alliance would be an insult to the Vokkaliga community, which the girl belongs to, as she was marrying a Muslim boy.

Despite the bandh and protests, Dr Babu, the bride's father, said they had made up their minds, and there was no turning back now. The two families have known each other for several years. Ashitha and Shakeel completed their masters in business administration in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Mandya tahsildar Maruti Prasanna said he would issue a show-cause notice to those who staged protests against the marriage. The police have decided to continue armed security at the residence of Dr Babu.

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