Getting Married on Dec 6? Band Baja Baraat in Knots

HYDERABAD: All those getting married on December 6 will either do so without the usual ‘band, baja, baraat’ or will have to hurry up with it what with several regulations in place.

A day most remembered for the infamous Babri masjid demolition 20 years ago, this year it has turned out to be one of the most auspicious days for marriages. But those looking forward to celebrate their special day with the ‘baraat’ would either be denied permission or, even if granted permission, will have to hurry up with the ritual as restrictions will be in place. 

With an approximate 15,000 marriages scheduled for Saturday in the city observed as a Black Day, the city police are leaving no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful passage of the anniversary. With only two days left, denizens are learnt to be in full swing making arrangements for wedding halls, priests, caterers and many are learnt to be bringing in the required arrangements from neighbouring districts too.

A 25-year-old techie, Sameer Shah(name changed) waiting for police permission for a baraat to be taken out for his wedding, told Express sitting at a police station in central zone limits: “My home is just a couple of hundred metres from the function hall and it is not my mistake if the muhurat fell on the Black Day. I hope I get permission for my baraat,” said Shah.

Vanaja Rao of Quick Marriages Pvt Ltd said, “It is a very auspicious day as Guru and Shukra ganas are coming together on this day and that means the lagna will be very strong”. Echoing similar views, GR Swamy, a city-based astrologer, added, “Dec 6 and 7 are very good days. Since all halls are booked, people are looking for other options. Even priests and caterers are not available.”

While the central zone police maintained that a permission will not be an issue, the the south zone police flatly denied permission for marriage processions. “It is a very sensitive matter. We are bluntly refusing any request for baraat, dharnas, processions etc,” said V Satyanarayana, DCP, South Zone.

VB Kamalasan Reddy, DCP, Central Zone, said, “We have never objected against baraat processions. We have to think about traffic regulations and police bandobast. We will not deny any permission.”