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| Thanks to Cupid, love marriages storm Valley | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, April 15: But for Cupid's intervention many a girl would not dare to dream of marriage in contemporary Kashmir. Customs, newly invented vices and the demand for working women has wreaked havoc with the institution of marriage in Kashmir. But modern eves and boys have found a way out. The reservations of conservative society notwithstanding, love marriages are becoming acceptable slowly but surely.
Muhammad Yasin, an untiring social worker earns his livelihood by writing petitions in the Sadder Court. According to him, more than five court marriages are solemnized every day in the court premises. When asked how he can be so sure about the number, Yasin said: "The marriage agreements drafted by Advocates or petition writes have to be notorised. A lawyer designated as Notary Public signs the affidavits and other documents. In the evening, the data can be obtained easily by visiting the chambers of the Notaries. In addition, we have an Imam in the court who performs the Nikah. So there is absolutely no difficulty in getting the data on a daily basis."
Yasin, however, could not say with certainty as to how many marriages take place in district and tehsil courts. "There was a time when the parents of the girl would lodge a complaint under section 363 Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). Section 363 RPC deals with kidnapping. In the past the groom had to elope with the bride for a fortnight or so. More often than not the newly weds would be recovered by the police. But times have changed. Now nobody lodges such complaints", he said.
Anjum is a computer wizard. Two years ago she fell in love and opted for court marriage when her parents refused to accept her prince charming. "My parents were forced to accept the marriage because they could not find a suitable match for my younger sister for the past two years. She is educated but unemployed. The boys want employed girls", she said.
Anjum says the love marriages not only simplify the marriage but save a lot of money as well. "In a love marriage the husband cannot even dream of dowry. The conditions are fixed", she said smilingly.
Advocate Siraj-ud-Din vindicates Anjum's stand. "Around 80000 youth got killed during the past two decades. There is dearth of boys. The quest for a working wife has further complicated the problem. Late marriages in Kashmir are a result of this trend. It has forced many a girl into prostitution", he said.
Marriage, according to Rukhsana (name changed) has become too costly an affair in Kashmir. "Poor people cannot afford marriage. The love marriages, therefore, are becoming popular", she said.
Religious and social workers have been appealing the people to refrain from a crude show of ostentation during marriages. A group of young men have opened a marriage bureau, Hamsafar. The bureau has performed many marriages till date but it has not attracted many people.
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