Tension gripped parts of Ferozepur Jhirka in neighbouring Nuh after an interfaith marriage. In protest against the marriage, a group of people blocked the Gurugram-Alwar highway for several hours on Monday. The market also remained closed.
The protesters called upon the shopkeepers to keep the shutters down on Tuesday demanding that the woman be “returned” to her parents.
Mewat Development Board member and local BJP leader Mahender Kumar said the community could not oppose the wedding on legal grounds, since both were adults, but socially they were demanding that the Muslim community leaders interfere to “return” the woman to their parents.
“Interfaith marriage is a sensitive issue and could cause strained relation between the two communities. The Muslim community leaders have assured us to look into our demand,” said Mr. Kumar.
Family absconding
Aalam Mandal, another BJP leader, said the law would take its own course in the matter, but the union was not socially acceptable. He said that efforts were on to resolve the matter amicably so that the communal harmony is not disturbed. He said the couple and the man’s family are on the run.
The 20-year-old woman, an arts undergraduate student, had eloped with a 28-year-old man belonging to the Muslim community on August 14. The woman’s brother dropped her at a college in the morning, but she left the college a few hours later on the pretext of being unwell. She never returned home. Her family later reported the matter to the police alleging that the woman was kidnapped and a case was registered in this connection.
Sought protection
However, the couple got married and appeared before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 17 seeking police protection. The family came to know about the marriage on August 19 when the court order reached the police. The man is married and has two children. He has reportedly sought divorce from his first wife.
Superintendent of Police, Nuh, Sangeeta Kalia told The Hindu that the couple is yet to contact the police and their location is not known. “We will provide protection to the couple as per the court order after they contact us. The situation is under control. The protesters are holding peaceful agitation in the matter,” said Ms. Kalia.
