The bride and groom have been friends for over 10 years.
After protests by pro-Hindu activists and caste leaders over the inter-faith marriage between a Hindu woman and a Muslim man in Mandya, Karnataka, the marriage was finally solemnised with the help of the police on Sunday.
Ashitha, the daughter of Dr Narendra Babu, and Shakeel, the son of Mukthar Ahmed, got married on Sunday after being friends for more than 10 years. Speaking with iamin over the phone, Mukthar Ahmed said that both families had known each other and there was no scope for any misunderstanding over the friendship or love between Shakeel and Ashitha. “Narendra Babu and I were classmates for over 15 years at St Joseph's Convent at Mandya. Later, I opted to become businessman and Babu pursued higher studies to become a doctor. We have known each other for around 40 years,'' says Mukthar Ahmed.
When asked whether there was any pressure on Ashitha to convert into Islam? "There was no pressure from our family on Ashitha to embrace Islam. It is Ashitha who wanted to embrace Islam. Her intention is not to be isolated in the family. Both of our families have no problems on this issue but some outsiders want to create a rift between us by raking up this issue,'' Ahmed said.According to sources, Ashitha had embraced Islam to facilitate her marriage with Shakeel. She changed her to Saista Sultan.
According to the Bangalore Mirror, protests were held outside Ashitha's house and a bandh declared on Saturday by a group who claimed to be members of the Swabhimani Vokkaligara Sangha. The group said that the marriage would be an insult to the Vokkaliga community, to which Ashitha belongs.
On Sunday, Ahmed said that around 500 relatives and well-wishers of both families attended the marriage held at Taj Convention Hall in Mysore. Meanwhile, Dr. Narendra Babu refused to comment on the marriage. “I am tired of this media publicity. Please do not ask any queries on the marriage. I am tired of answering queries from not only media persons but also members of Hindu organisations and caste leaders,’’ Dr Babu said.
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 "Mandya, Karnataka, Vokkaliga, Muslims, Hindu, Inter-Faith marriage")
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