Patiala: Farmer protest casts shadow on weddings

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, February 13

The ongoing protests have not only disrupted the daily lives of lakhs of commuters, but also cast a shadow on marriage ceremonies across the region.

Many baratis from Delhi or going to the National Capital Region (NCR) are stranded as the border is sealed and tension has mounted at the Shambhu border after police personnel fired tear-gas shells at farmers, marching towards Delhi.

The time around ‘Basant Panchami’ is considered auspicious for marriage and the region witnesses several ceremonies. As per estimate, nearly 2,000 weddings are scheduled across the state till the weekend. The marriage of Puja from Ludhiana and Rahul from Delhi – named changed – today at a resort near Phagwara, was called off as the groom’s family and relatives remained stranded in heavy traffic jam towards Punjab on NH-44.

“We were carrying jewellery and cash for the wedding. As the vehicles’ queue was getting longer and the situation getting tensed, we decided to return and call off wedding,” said the groom’s father.

“We have given the advance to the resort owner and spent over Rs 1 lakh on the decoration. I don’t know whether the marriage palace owner would return the money. The loss of money is a secondary issue. The cancelling of the wedding has crushed the jovial mood of everyone. The bride is disappointed with the announcement. We are talking to the groom’s family and may decide to have a simple wedding in Delhi next week in Delhi,” said the bride’s uncle.

Rohish Sharma, who was heading from Patiala to attend a wedding in Delhi, also cancelled his plan due to the ongoing farmer protest.

“I have heard that the protest has led to massive traffic jams on the highways leading to Delhi. I thought of catching a flight from Mohali, but the airfares have doubled,” said Sharma.

The NRI, who are visiting or returning abroad, are also stranded. Rohish Sharma, who is visiting Ludhiana from Canada to attend a wedding ceremony, said he had a scheduled return flight on February 18.

“But looking at the current situation, I may have to cancel the ticket and plan on heading back once the situation settles,” said Sharma.

Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, president, Punjab Marriage Palace and Resort Association, who is visiting Dubai, said people had started making enquiries about the prevailing situation.

2,000 this week

The time around ‘Basant Panchami’ is considered auspicious for marriage and the region will witness several ceremonies. As per estimate, nearly 2,000 weddings are scheduled till the weekend.