Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Mar 25: For the last two months, 55- years-old Bashir Ahmad of Pattan has been busy with preparations for the marriage of his two daughters.
From booking preparing guest list to arrange logistics, he had been on toes to see his daughters in the bridal trousseau. Scheduled in the second week of April, Ahmad had almost finalized the preparations.
Come March 19, the government announced a lockdown after an elderly woman with a travel history to Saudi Arabia tested positive.
Lockdown coupled with advisories left Ahmad worried because it was for the second time he had to face such a situation. Last year he had to postpone his daughters’ marriage because of the lockdown post abrogation of Article 370.
Ahmad, who had planned a lavish wedding, is planning to postpone the ceremony until the impact of coronavirus subsides in the valley.
“Guests won’t attend the marriage since the government has imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC in the valley. It will be better to postpone the marriage until the situation improves,” he said.
Ahmad is not an isolated case. Scores of the people have either postponed or deferred the marriages scheduled for April and May.
Marriage season in Kashmir begins in April and lasts till May end. The second season starts in September which lasts till October.
For the last six days, scores of the weddings in Kashmir have been postponed in view of the coronavirus scare. “The wedding of my son is scheduled in the third week of April. We will wait for few more days and postpone if the situation witness no improvement,” said Ghulam Qadir Bhat of Baramulla.
Many have decided to solemnize the marriage with austerity. “I had planned to host more than 500 guests. But due to the current situation, we have canceled all the invitations. We should understand that it is better to avoid social gatherings at a time when coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh of Duderhama, Ganderbal whose daughter’s wedding is scheduled on April 5.
