Interfaith Wedding Called Off After Viral Invitation Card Sparks Outrage Online

Social media calls against a 'love jihad wedding' in Nashik, Maharashtra have led the bride's family to call off the ceremony, reports said Tuesday.

After a copy of the to-be-married couple's wedding invitation went viral online, after reportedly being leaked on WhatsApp, it prompted outrage as netizens dubbed it a case of 'love jihad'. The woman is a Hindu and the man, a Muslim.

'Love jihad' is a belief held among certain sections in the country pertaining to an alleged conspiracy by Muslim men of converting and initiating Hindu women into their religion, either by force or deception. The widespread theory has in the last year prompted several instances of violence, protests and anti-conversion laws in some Indian states.

Among the chief arguments people have given against the 'love jihad' theory is how its wrests agency from consenting interfaith couples, which is what reportedly happened in the case of this Nashik family.

Love Jihad Wedding? Nashik Family Forced To Cancel Interfaith Union

As per the Indian Express, the bride's father Prasad Adgaonkar, a prominent jeweller in the state, revealed his daughter Rasika had a disability that unfortunately limited her scope for finding a groom. Asif Khan, a family friend and former classmate of Rasika, expressed a wish to marry her; something Rasika also desired, as per the family.

'Love jihad wedding' sparks outrage, Image: Indian Express

However, the leaked wedding card posed an impediment as even "strangers," Adgaonkar said, urged them to cancel the event. "A lot of pressure started coming from people of the community and others, and so it was decided to cancel the marriage function."

Reports suggest Rasika and Asif registered their marriage at a Nashik court in May this year and wedding ceremonies as per the bride's faith were to be held on July 18, before she left for her in-laws'.

"Due to the present situation, I can't say if they will stay together," Adgaonkar said, as per PTI. 

Despite the pressure, the families have reportedly said they will not force the couple to separate against their wishes.

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