Nashik jeweller forced to call off daughter's marriage function over 'love jihad'

Nashik: A prominent jeweller from Nashik had to cancel his daughter's marriage function after the community leaders and others raised dire objections to the marriage of youngsters who belong to different religions, calling it a case of 'love jihad'.

The marriage function of jeweller Prasad Adgaonkar's 28-year-old daughter with Asif Khan was fixed to be held at a Nashik hotel in presence of close relatives. But, anyhow the invitation card got leaked and had been circulated in many WhatsApp groups, inviting the ire of community leaders and others.

Adgaonkar said that he received threat calls and messages urging him to call off the function. Those who raised the objection had described the marriage as a case of love jihad.

But the bride's father has a different story to say. Adgaonkar said that since his daughter Rasika is a physically disabled girl, the search for a suitable match ended without result. At the time she expressed her desire to tie the knot with Asif Khan, who was her classmate and the families knew each other well for the past few years.

The marriage function was fixed after both were got registered their marriage at a Nashik court in the presence of both the families in May. Since then the woman has been living with Asif Khan at his home, with the mutual agreement between both families for ritualistic marriage solemnization on July 18.

Adgaonkar said he had met community leaders as directed and was asked to cancel the function. A lot of pressure started coming from people of the community and others, and so it was decided to cancel the marriage function, another family member said.