The wedding reception of N. Ashita alias Shaista and Shakeel Ahmed, which had aroused much curiosity among the public, passed off peacefully here on Sunday. There was tight police security at the venue.
The marriage of Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, a Muslim, with his long-time friend Ms. Ashita, a Hindu, had been opposed by right-wing groups in Mandya, their native place.
“The ‘nikah’ ceremony of Mr. Shakeel Ahmed had been held earlier. We are not aware when it was held. Today is the ‘valima’ or reception,” a reliable source told The Hindu .
However, entry to the Taj Convention Hall in Bannimantap, the venue of the wedding reception, was restricted to invitees. A posse of policemen, both men and women, stood guard at the entrance to prevent entry of trouble makers.
City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said that adequate police security was provided for the reception.
The city police had not only received a request for security from the parents of the boy and the girl, but they were also informed about the reception by the Superintendent of Mandya district police. He denied that the parents of the boy and the girl had scheduled the wedding in Mysuru in view of the opposition they faced in Mandya.
Taj Mohammed Khan, who owns the marriage hall, said the venue was booked two months ago. “The families of the bride and the groom have a lot of friends and relatives in Mysuru and they chose to hold the reception here instead of Mandya”, he said.
Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, an MBA graduate, assists his father Mukthar Ahmed in their family business, and Ms. Ashita, also an MBA, is the daughter of paediatrician Narendra Babu. Gauri Lankesh of Komu Souharda Vedike and Vimala of the Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane, who had lent their support to the marriage, were among those who attended the wedding reception.
