On Valentine’s Day, five young couples sought the help of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in getting married even as the family members raised objections on Thursday.
Despite the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) directing the police to provide security to the young couples, the activists of both the organisations had a field day. Other than the five couples who sought their support, the activists also “forcibly” got a couple married in Narsingi.
VHP and Bajrang Dal men, in fact, were on a prowl at popular hangouts like coffee shops, bakeries, parks and restaurants, in search of young people. Such was the impact that most couples kept away from the usual haunts. It was not without some interesting twists. In one instance, the activists accosted Raju and Gautami, near Kapra Lake at ECIL crossroads. The two told the activists about their love for each other for the last three years and the opposition from their respective families.
The girl had run away from her home in Banjara Hills the previous night. The activists immediately performed their marriage at a nearby temple. The couple’s love story took a twist after their relatives lodged a complaint with the Kushaiguda police.
The family members picked up an argument with the activists and the couple inside the police station stating that they were siblings relation-wise. However, the two told presspersons that they were depressed after their parents refused to perform their marriage.
“We came to the lake to commit suicide but the activists came to our rescue,” Raju said. But, the girl’s family claimed she was a minor and pointed out that a missing complaint was already lodged at the Banjara Hills police station on Wednesday night. Senior police officials said the girl’s age was yet to be established and Raju was a suspect in the missing case.
In a separate incident, another couple approached the same police station requesting that their marriage be performed. The police politely declined to intervene. But, the Bajrang Dal activists assured them of conducting their marriage.
Marriages of three other couples by consent were held at the VHP office, Koti, an amusement park in Batasingaram and Sanghi temple, Hayathnagar.
