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NDTV
26-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Band, Baaja, Wedding In Limbo: Indian Groom Stuck At Attari-Wagah Border
Jaipur: Rajasthan's Shaitan Singh got engaged to Kesar Kanwar from Pakistan's Sindh province four years ago. As the groom's family struggled for years to get visas, the cross-border wedding was hit by another hurdle when the government closed the Attari border on Thursday. With his wedding attire ready and all set to tie the knot in Pakistan's Amarkot city on April 30, Singh along with his family and 'baraat' set out from Barmer district for the Attari border on Tuesday. But by the time they reached there, authorities refused to let them cross the border as India on Wednesday ordered immediate shutdown of the Attari-Wagah border as part of a series of retaliatory steps following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. "We've waited a long time for this day," said Singh, adding that after years of efforts it was only recently, February 18, that he, his father and brother were granted visas. The groom's cousin Surendra Singh said the situation has left both families disheartened. "Our relatives from Pakistan had come here but they had to return. We are very disappointed. Terror attacks cause a lot of damage. Relations get spoiled. Movement on the border stops," he said. As the cross-border wedding remains disrupted. The visa of Singh, a resident of Indroi village in Barmer district, is valid until May 12, giving the families a glimmer of hope that the wedding might still happen if the border reopens in time. "Whatever the terrorists did was wrong. The wedding has been interrupted. What to do? It is a matter of borders," the groom said. The cross-border marriage was arranged through family ties, a common practice among the Sodha Rajput community, which has a significant population in Sindh province of Pakistan. Many of them prefer marrying within the community, and often seek matches across the border to preserve their cultural traditions. Singh, who works in the finance sector, is one of many in the region with relatives in Pakistan. For now, his family waits in hope that the situation improves and the border reopens in time for the marriage to go ahead. India on Wednesday downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down. A Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took a series of retaliatory steps, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, revocation of visa services of Pakistani nationals and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Band, baaja, baraat but no bride: Wedding in limbo as groom stuck at Attari-Wagah border
Representative Image (AI) BARMER: Shaitan Singh from Rajasthan's Barmer district , who got engaged to Kesar Kanwar from Pakistan's Sindh province four years ago, saw his long-awaited wedding plans collapse after the Attari border closure , according to news agency PTI. With his wedding outfit ready and a 'baraat' prepared to travel to Pakistan's Amarkot city for the ceremony on April 30, Singh set off from Barmer on Tuesday. However, by the time the family reached the Attari border, authorities informed them that the crossing had been suspended. India had ordered an immediate shutdown of the Attari-Wagah border on Wednesday as part of strong retaliatory measures following the Pahalgam terror attack . 'We waited so long for this day,' Singh said. After years of trying, Singh, his father, and his brother were finally granted visas on February 18, but the sudden closure dashed their hopes. Surendra Singh, the groom's cousin, said both families were left heartbroken. 'Our relatives from Pakistan who had come here had to return. Terror attacks spoil everything — relations and movement at the border both get affected,' he said. Despite the disruption, Singh, a resident of Indroi village, still holds on to hope. His visa is valid until May 12, giving a slim chance that the wedding could happen if the border reopens soon. 'Whatever the terrorists did was wrong. Our marriage is now stuck. But what can we do? It's a matter related to borders,' Singh added. The cross-border marriage was arranged through family ties, a common tradition among the Sodha Rajput community , which has deep roots in Pakistan's Sindh province. Many in the community prefer marrying within the group to preserve cultural traditions, often seeking matches across the border. Singh, who works in the finance sector, is among many locals with family ties to Pakistan. For now, the groom and his family can only wait and hope for the situation to improve. India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced several measures including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, halting visa services for Pakistani nationals, and shutting the Attari land transit post immediately.
