It’s a grave concern

Last year, the authorities talked about invoking the Guest Control Act to disallow lavish marriages. The decision was widely hailed especially in Kashmir where people resort to a crude show of ostentation during marriages. The wazwaan has been vandalised. It has expanded enormously         over past few years. The decision was perceived as a welcome development and people, by and large, welcomed it. They expected restrictions on the number of guests and the number of dishes cooked during marriages and other functions. The authorities also intended to ban use of amplifiers, DJs and loud speakers during marriage functions. However, the authorities chose to impose restrictions somewhere else throwing the Guest Control Act into bin. The restrictions would have helped in preserving the fragile environment of Kashmir as well. Massive use of polythene and plastic during marriages has posed a serious threat to the water bodies as the people dump the       used  plastic in rivers, streams and lakes.  Support from other ministries and the civil society would have made the legislation more useful and saved the institution of marriage from getting polluted further.  Some people thought that the guest control order will ultimately result in a curb on deals that are struck behind closed doors. The bride has to carry very costly gifts for the mother, sisters, brothers and relatives of the groom. The problem has assumed alarming proportions especially in Kashmir. Around five dowry deaths have been reported from various parts of Kashmir during the past three years. This reflects the rot the society has undergone.  In America, Europe and elsewhere, the marriage function are simple, and sensible. But in Kashmir the functions are elaborate,and  never end.  The results are obvious.  Lavish marriage functions are considered a major reason for late marriages in Kashmir. Apart from enforcing the legislation strictly, the Imams, civil society members and women organisations need to be taken on board to refine the institution.  This has to be done to save the society from greater dangers.