Symbolic burning of ‘mangalsutra’ in Kerala

Protesting against moral policing and religious strictures against expression of love, a cultural group burnt a symbolic ‘Thali’ (mangalsutra) at nearby Fort Kochi.

The protest by activists of ‘Njattuvela’ cultural workers forum, took place at Fort Kochi yesterday, amidst heavy police presence. About 100 activists, including women, took out a procession from Fort Kochi bus stand and gathered at the Vasco da Gama square where a huge ‘mangalsutra’ made of paper and firecrackers stuffed in it, was burnt.Swapnesh Nanu, secretary of the forum said the event was held to ‘free love from the shackles of institutionalisation’.