Political unrest halts Hindu weddings

Kongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur

Bamboo structures of a wedding gate remain undecorated for ten days due to political unrest. PHOTO: STAR

Weddings of Hindu community and its relevant business has come to an almost halt for the ongoing political unrest. This is the wedding season in Dinajpur for the hindu community. It is nearly impossible to organize such function now.
According to the Hindu tradition, month of Agrahayan and early two weeks of Poush months of Bangla calendar are peak season for wedding.
At least 7 families in last 10 days have either rescheduled or postponed the marriages due to political unrest.
“There are many problems to face if anybody wants to hold a wedding in current situation” said Parimal Chakdrabory Tapan general Secretary of Dinajpur Unit Hindu, Buddha, Christian Okkya Parishad. He saying that there are many requirements for a wedding ceremony, including: transportation and shopping.
“It is nearly impossible for groom to attend long distant wedding ceremony outside the district” he added saying that only a few marriages took place inviting their close relatives and neighboring guests living nearby.
Besides, the price of food has gone up as supply fallen short in the districts due to hartals and blockades. “I had to spent extra Tk.34,000 for organizing the marriage feast as prices of vegetables and mutton gone up due to political unrest” commented Shadhan Roy, father of bride of Biral Upazila of Dinajpur.
Ashish Roy, another person of Biral Upazila said other allied expenditures of marriage relevant were automatically gone up due to the political unrest.
The marriage relevant businesses like renting extra beddings for guests, decorations, community centre renting, garment and jeweler shops and chefs passing idle times during this wedding season.
“Month of Agrahayan is already mid-way through, but I am yet to be hired as a chef” said Jiten Roy of Dinajpur town saying that he has been waiting for a year for the wedding season but the political unrest shattered their hopes. Besides, goldsmiths and jewelers are also severely affected by the current situation.
“This seasonal wedding is a major source of our earning every year. Traditionally people of Hindu community are fond of giving gold ornaments as gifts to their near and dear ones during the wedding, but the business is in total halt now”, said Anil Roy, a jeweller of Dinajpur town. He added that four families have suspended their order.

Courtesy:thedailystar dot net