Parents of a Hindu-Muslim couple, who are to get married on Sunday evening in Mysuru, have demanded that the police provide security so that the wedding takes place unhindered.
This demand comes after protests against the inter-religious wedding for over a week by caste groups and Hindu activists in Mandya district, where the families are from. The activists claim that this is a case of 'love jihad' carried out by the groom’s family, which is threatening the community.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Suresh has been appointed to look into security arrangements for the wedding.
Suresh told The News Minute that the family have asked for security until the wedding is completed.
A source in the police said that personnel would be deployed from 2 pm to 8 pm.
According to the wedding invite of Shakeel and Ashitha alias Shaista, which was distributed, the marriage ritual is set to take place from 5.15 pm to 7.30 pm. The wedding is set to be conducted according to Islamic traditions.
"We have given the hall to the party from 5 pm onwards. We were told that there would be police security deployed there from then on as the arrangements for the function take place," an official from Taj Convention hall in Mysuru, who didn't want to be named, told The News Minute.
On Saturday, the Swabhimani Vokkaligara Sangha called for a bandh in Mandya. Two activists, who burnt a tyre, were taken into custody. Activists later submitted a memorandum demanding that either the bride should be allowed to follow Hinduism or the groom should convert.