As many as 8,000 villagers came together to host this perfect affair in a bid to promote togetherness.
It wasn’t that long ago that a village called Rawatpur in Uttar Pradesh was known as the hotbed for communal tensions. However, the residents of this small region near Kanpur decided to change the tune, literally, with a wedding band.
Citizens themselves threw a grand wedding for 10 couples from the region and seemingly everybody showed up to shower love.
The idea of a mass marriage for Hindu and Muslim couples was initiated by Mohammad Shakeel. As a result of it, over 8,000 villagers not only attended the grand affair but also hosted it.
The weddings were solemnised by both Hindu priests and Pesh Imams. And, of course, as with most weddings in the country, delicious food was served.
Image for representation. Photo source: Wikimedia
Mohammad spoke to the Hindustan Times saying that despite having come up with the idea, he was pleasantly surprised at how cooperative villagers were of the event and how quickly they gave it their blessing. He said, “I never thought the response would be so positive. Everyone supported it. People made arrangements for the event and market was closed for the day as the entire village was present at the ceremony. It was so heart-warming.”
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As for the couples themselves, it was a day to be celebrated and also one to remember for the rest of their lives. One of the grooms, Sunil Batham, even requested the villagers to make this an annual event for years to come. He told the newspaper, “I have appealed to people to keep organising such an event every year. It has become the biggest example of communal harmony and insaniyat (humanity).”
Here’s to weddings hosted with love!
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