105 Couples Tie Knot In 1st Ever ‘Mass Marriage’ In Kashmir

Srinagar: In the first ever mass marriage in Kashmir, as many as 105 couples tied the knot in a simple function in Amar Singh Club here. The couples belonged to various parts of north Kashmir, including Srinagar.

“It is being done by the Jaffri Council of Jammu and Kashmir and this is the to the first such mass marriage,” Ghulam Rasool Chakan, the general secretary of the party said.

“This, however, is the biggest such exercise understaffed by the Council.”

Chakan said it was for the first time in 2015 when the Council undertook marrying 38 couples from deserving categories of the society.

“In 2016, we helped 70 couples marry in a joint function and in 2017, the number rose to 75,” he said.

“So far, the 2018 function is the biggest such exercise.”

“In this mass marriage, we have couples from Uri, Sumbal, Pattan, Beerwa, Budgam, Khan Sahab, Baramulla and even from Srinagar,” Chakan said.

He said Haji Manhas is presiding over the Council.

The Council has its office in Khomanie Chowk in Bemina.

“Couples come and register with us and for a proof we seek their details and verify to check if they deserve the help,” Chakan said.

“We visit their homes and recheck the details they submit.”

Chakan said they have a number of donors who do not wish to be identified and they function this annual exercise.

“We give some items to the marking couples after the ceremony is over,” Chakan said.

“This year, we are giving as many as 41 items to these new families as the basic support from the Council which the donors are funding.”

As the word about the mass marriage spread, there were hundreds of people who came to be part of the major event.

Media, donors and the families of the 105 families along with the organisers converted the Amar Singh Club into a major activity space on Sunday. (KL)