Hindu-Muslim bonhomie at Bisada wedding

<g data-gr-id="58">Bisada</g> village in the Dadri area of Greater Noida has been tense after 50-year-old Ikhlaq was lynched by a fierce mob over <g data-gr-id="68">beef-eating</g> rumour. The incident led to intense political debate and media attention, making villagers uncomfortable. 

Shaken by the gruesome incident and political attention that the village has been getting for the past few days, Hakeem, a resident of <g data-gr-id="60">Bisada</g> village, was thinking of changing the wedding venue for his two daughters. His daughters marriage was scheduled for Sunday, but he was unsure about the ceremony. Hakeem was considering to shift the wedding outside <g data-gr-id="65"><g data-gr-id="61">Bisada</g>,</g> when some village elders convinced him to solemnise the ceremony in the village itself. The wedding took place in a primary school in the village.

Hakeem is all smiles as villagers, mostly Hindus, not only assured him security of his family and guests but also actively participated in preparing the feast, setting up the shamiana and other works related to the marriage. However, the food served at the wedding was vegetarian. Overwhelmed to see his villagers’ support and love, Hakeem said: “Our village is like one big family. We always help each other in times of difficulty. Hindus from the village <g data-gr-id="74">are</g> helping me financially and physically. It feels like they are marrying off their own daughters.” 

Speaking about the situation at the village, a police officer was quoted as saying, “After the lynching incident, the grooms’ families had said they would not want to come to <g data-gr-id="59">Bisada</g>. So, there were talks of shifting the venue. But that has been sorted out. Now, there is peace in the village. Things are getting back to normal.”

On Sunday, the families of both the communities jointly welcomed the bridegrooms and their families. 

“The ceremony was held in a primary school. I have made arrangements for food and tent. Others too are coming forward to help,” said HK Sharma, a resident.