Restrictions on non-veg dishes in Nikahs in Vemulawada
RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: Muslim marriages are known for different varieties of non-vegetarian dishes. Even poor families will also arrange a number of non-vegetarian varieties since it has become a prestigious issue in the community. Surprisingly, it is going to be a thing of the past in Vemulwada temple town since the local Muslim community elders have decided […]
RAJANNA-SIRCILLA: Muslim marriages are known for different varieties of non-vegetarian dishes. Even poor families will also arrange a number of non-vegetarian varieties since it has become a prestigious issue in the community. Surprisingly, it is going to be a thing of the past in Vemulwada temple town since the local Muslim community elders have decided to put an end to this practice. Instead of the number of dishes, only a few varieties will be served in Nikah function hereafter.
Community elders took this decision as the poor are facing troubles unable to spend huge amounts on preparation of different varieties of non-vegetarian dishes in Nikah functions. In this regard, Vemulawada Town Muslim Committee comprising eight mosques took a decision by putting restrictions on dishes being served in Nikah functions in its meeting held on January 16. According to the decision, only one non-vegetarian variety dish (either mutton or chicken), bagara rice, sambar and one sweet item should be served in Nikah (marriage) functions. The decision will come into force from February 1.
Besides dowry and other expenditures, parents of brides were facing problems spending huge amounts on preparation of different varieties of non-vegetarian dishes. It required at least Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh to arrange dishes for Nikah functions, said Kaleem Pasha, a local resident. He informed that it was a routine practice to serve different varieties of dishes such as Harees or Haleem, Mutton Marag, Red Chicken, Green Chicken, Biryani, Qurbani Ka Meetha, Kaddu ka Kheer, and Fruit salad. In the recent past, it has become a trend to serve ‘Starter’, wherein ten varieties of non-vegetarian fry dishes have been served.
Besides the above varieties, special non-vegetarian items such as Leg Pieces, Chicken Kebabs and a few other varieties would be served to groom and his friends in a separate arrangement, he said. Besides Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for dowry, about Rs 2.50 lakh worth home needs to be given to the groom’s family by the parents of the bride. On the other hand, the bride’s family has to spend Rs 50,000 for a function hall to perform Nikah, he said.
Mohammed Akram, President of Vemulawada Muslim Community, said that they have passed resolution in the committee meeting since poor community people were facing troubles unable to serve different varieties of non-vegetarian dishes. The decision was taken in the presence of Kazi, who would perform marriages. Kazi was asked not to perform marriages wherein a number of dishes were served. When parents of the bride approached him to perform Nikah, Kazi would instruct them to serve only a few dishes in the marriage and deny to perform Nikah if a number of dishes were served, Akram informed. It was also announced in all mosques during Friday prayers, he said and informed that they were contemplating to put restrictions on dowry in the future.
