It can happen only in Uttar Pradesh! Marriages are broken over dowry or over the drinking habits of the groom, but have you ever heard of a marriage being called off following a dispute over an extra rasgulla?
It happened in Kurmapur village in Unnao district, about 70 km from Lucknow. The marriage of Shiv Kumar (25), a resident of Khutaha village in Unnao, was settled by his father Satyanarayan Raidas with Kamini (name changed) from the nearby Kurmapur village.
Dancing to the latest Bollywood tunes and lighting firecrackers, baratis reached the village, with the groom, to solemnise the marriage on April 14. Inebriated baratis gyrated on loud music when they reached the venue. They were accorded a warm welcome by the bride's father and relatives, with a sprinkle of rose petals. Cold drinks and steamed hot coffee were served with snacks.
Since the barat had reached a little late, the groom's father requested for dinner as soon as the dwaarchaar (ceremony at bride's door) begin. Baratis were requested to have dinner the moment the ceremony began. A separate pandal was created to serve buffet. All was going well. Everyone was enjoying the sumptuous food and hospitality.
Suddenly, a heated argument ensued between a close relative of the bride and a cousin of the groom.
The groom's cousin, Manoj, served two rasgullas, much to the annoyance of a close relative of the bride, who was managing the sweet stall. He was instructed to serve only one rasgulla to each barati. The infuriated relative objected to Manoj taking two rasgullas.
Arguments turned into scuffle and soon more baratis joined Manoj and thrashed up the bride's relative. The venue soon turned into a boxing ring. Punches and blows were exchanged. Plates started flying like UFOs, food bowls and serving spoons were used to hit one another. Instead of serving rasgullas, paneer, vegetables, rotis, rice and other food items on their plates, the baratis threw them on janatis (members of the bride's side).
The food pandal came crashing in no time. The bide and the groom's father, who were performing the dwaarchaar ceremony, ran towards the war zone to understand what led to the sudden free-for-all. They tried to pacify but both sides refused to relent.
Another round of fighting ensued. An infuriated Manoj, along with other baratis, abused and thrashed up the bride's father and other close relatives. Before some firearms could possibly be used, better sense prevailed among some who called the police.
The police, somehow, counselled both sides and restored peace. Village elders and the panchayat were called to sort out the issue and allow the marriage ceremony to be solemnized in their presence. But the bride, who was seeing the whole drama from the rooftop, got annoyed with the insult and beating up of her father. She refused to marry.
Both sides repented the unsavoury incident over a small issue of an extra rasgulla and pleaded the girl to complete the marriage ceremony. But she did not budge even on repeated requests from her parents. Finally, the marriage was called off. Gravies on their faces and dresses, baratis and groom returned to their village without the bride.
Achalganj police station SHO Mohammed Ashraf said that a complaint has been submitted by the bride's father, Radhey, and they are investigating who instigated the fight.
