So imagine what if you are invited to a wedding and made to pay for the food instead of the gift? Yes! You read it right. A bride-to-be is contemplating to actually do it. She is thinking of asking her wedding guests to pay for the dinner in lieu of gifts. She also shared her thoughts online and internet was quick enough to come up with hilarious reactions.
The bride’s post read, “Did anyone ask their guests to pay for their meals? Everything is so expensive at the moment. We're either going to postpone our October wedding, cancel the guest part or ask our guests to pay for their meals in lieu of gifts.
I've sent the invites out so not sure how we'd go about it. Please help. I'm stressed and sad."
The post went viral in no time and triggered a fest of hilarious comments.
One user wrote, "Personally if I was asked to pay for my food within reason instead of a gift I would be really happy with that. So long as that was the understanding from the start. Some people just want to spend the day with their family and friends I see no issue with that."
Another wrote, "Exactly what I was going to say. Not a terrible deal if meals are in a reasonable price range and gifts aren't expected. I'd be okay with it."
A third user commented, "I agree. I would've been totally fine with going to a wedding like this. She's basically saying, "I'd rather have you at my wedding than any material gifts."
Interestingly, one user wrote, "That's what my dad did at his wedding, on the invite it said no gifts but please pay for your meal."
However, some were against the idea.
One user wrote, “They really should have the wedding they can afford. It's extremely tacky to ask guests to pay for their meals.
"I mean you can have a small potluck backyard wedding. I don't think it's cool to ask people to essentially pay a fee to attend a wedding venue though."
So what’s your thoughts about it?
Advocate V.K. Biju contended before a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that a similar issue is pending before another bench of the top court, on which notice was issued on November 8, and added that the court may consider issuing notice at least on one of the prayers in the petition.
The bench, also comprising A.S. Bopanna told Biju, representing the petitioners Sabu Steephen and others, the law commission can look at the suggestions on strengthening the dowry prohibition law -- to make it more effective -- instead of the court issuing notice in the matter. Biju pointed out that educated people give so much jewellery and gold to the children, and the children of daily wagers are suffering. The bench said it agrees that the issue raised in the plea is an important one, which requires sensitization of everybody.
Justice Chandrachud added that the plea has raised a very substantial grievance but these are matters imminently for the legislature to decide -- to give more teeth to the law. He cited the SC/ST Act, which was amended repeatedly to give it more teeth.
The bench noted that petitioners have highlighted that on the one hand, Parliament has stepped in by enacting legislation in terms of penal provisions such as section 304B and 498A of the IPC and Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and by the formation of the National Commission for Women, yet the persistence of the social evil requires a fresh look by the concerned authorities to bring more teeth to the legislation.
The bench said: "we are of the view that it may be appropriate if the law commission of India considers the issue in all its perspectives. The petitioner is at liberty to submit a note of research on all relevant aspects for the benefit of the law commission on which further steps to consider the scope for legislative reforms may be duly considered".
The top court was hearing a plea by two social activists and a lawyer practising in the Supreme Court seeking certain concrete directions to curb the social evil of dowry.
Mitra's daughter-in-law has reportedly lodged the complaint alleging that she was harassed for dowry. Names of Mitra's wife, daughter and younger son are also mentioned in the complaint.
Mitra's eldest son, who had married the girl last year, is reportedly working abroad.
“Mitra’s daughter-in-law came to the police station with her baby on September 15 and lodged an FIR against the family members (her in-laws). As per her statement, a case has been registered under section 498 of IPC,” said Khurda SP Dipti Ranjan Ray.
Notice has been issued to the victim's in-laws, the SP added.
The victim, Urmila Sial, was admitted to Bhadrak hospital with severe burn injuries where she reportedly breathed her last.
Soon after the incident, Urmila’s family members lodged a complaint with the Simulia Police alleging that her husband along with his family members committed the crime in a planned manner.
As per latest reports, Simulia police has detained Urmila’s husband Narhari Sial to interrogate him.
Urmila had reportedly tied the knot with Narhari five months back, while her family has claimed they had given dowry as per the demand of the groom’s family members.
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But her husband and in-laws continued torturing her physically and mentally demanding more dowry, alleged Urmila’s family.
"We had taken the victim to Bhadrak hospital but she succumbed to her injuries. A complaint was filed by her family members alleging dowry torture following which we have apprehended her husband and interrogating him," a police official said.
An investigation is currently underway.
According to sources, the woman engulfed in fire was rescued by locals and admitted into Nilagiri hospital in critical condition.
As per reports, the in-laws of the victim had asked for a gold chain from her parents 3 months back. After their demand was not fulfilled, the woman's husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law allegedly poured kerosene and set her on fire.
"They poured kerosene on me and set me on fire. I started running and later some local villagers threw water on me and brought me to the hospital. My husband and in-laws used to torture me and abuse me for not giving them a gold chain," the victim said.
According to reports, Binati was rushed to the hospital by her husband Kalia after she fell sick yesterday. However, the doctors there declared her brought dead.
"We were informed that Binati had fallen ill. But when we reached her house, her in-laws had already shifted her to the hospital," said a relative of the deceased woman.
Binati's family members alleged that she has been murdered after they spotted an injury mark on her neck. Later, a police complaint was lodged in connection with the incident.
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It is pertinent to mention that Binati had married Kalia last year and they were having a strained relationship. Family members of the deceased alleged that she was murdered for dowry.
Meanwhile, villagers caught hold of Kalia while he was trying to escape from the spot. Later, he was handed over to the police, who are investigating the case further.
A case in this regard was filed by the girl at Town Police station on Wednesday.
As per the complaint, the youth identified as Manas Ranjan Patel of Dengibhadi in Sundergarh district was engaged with the girl in November last year. He had also maintained physical relationship with her after the engagement.
However, Patel called the girl few days back and broke the relationship questioning her character.
The girl has alleged that Patel took the step after her father expressed his incapability of giving gold jewellery and a car as dowry. Patel could not be reached for comments on the allegations.
“I had blind faith on him and did not question him ever. I even managed to stay in touch with him for long hours despite the time zone difference between India and America. I was emotionally attached with him and duping me at such a stage is not acceptable,” said the girl.
“A case has been registered at Town Police station as per the complaint of the girl. She has also been sent for medical examination and investigation is underway. Action will be taken as per law after investigation,” said IIC of Sundergarh Town Police station, Ashok Kumar Giri.
The deceased, identified as Puja from Jenapur village under Khuntuni police limits here, was married to Bhikari Rout for two-and-half years.
As per the allegation of the woman’s family, she was being tortured by her husband's family for money for past one year. Reportedly, Puja's family had already given a sum of Rs 2 lakh as dowry. However, her in-laws had been asking for more and tortured her regularly.
Puja was admitted to a local hospital in a critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries, sources added.
“When I asked the doctor, he said that my daughter is already dead. She has been murdered by her in-laws. They had been demanding more money because of which Puja was regularly being tortured there,” alleged her mother.
The woman's family has registered a case alleging that their daughter was being tortured by her in-laws since the day of marriage owing to various demands. They also stated that Puja was under severe mental duress due to torture over dowry-related issues.
"The woman's family has alleged that Puja was killed by her husband and her in-laws. We have registered a case under IPC Sections 498, 323, 294, 304(B) 302, 34 and 4 Dowry Prohibition Act. The body has been sent for post-mortem. We will know the cause once we get the post-mortem report. All the persons involved will be arrested and further investigation is on," said the investigating officer.
Family members of the deceased, identified as Liza Moharana, alleged that her in-laws murdered her as their dowry demand of Rs 10,000 was not fulfilled.
Though earlier she had been tortured on several occasions by the in-laws and husband for dowry, she was tortured severely yesterday after Rs 1,600 was found stolen from the house after which she was admitted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, said her family members.
While undergoing treatment at the AIIMS, she was declared dead by doctors.
Family members of Liza lodged a complaint at the Khandagiri police station alleging that as injury marks were found on the young woman’s dead body, she was tortured severely.
The father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband of Liza have been detained at the Khandagiri police station.
The accused identified as Sukanta Behera, resident of Parakana village under Satyabadi police station limits of the district was arrested basing on a complaint lodged by father and brother of deceased.
As per the complaint, Sukanta had allegedly killed his wife, Mili, with the help of his family over dowry on July 6 while the family got information about her death from Uttara police outpost.
“First he eloped with my daughter and after marrying he killed my daughter for dowry,” alleged Mili’s father.
Later, Mili’s family member caught Sukanta from his house in Badagada area of Bhubaneswar and handed him over to Badagada police.
According to sources, Sukanta and Mili had tied nuptial knot two years back and theirs was a love marriage. Staying in Bhubaneswar, both were working in private company.
However, family members of Sukanta are yet to respond on the allegations.
The woman was admitted to Balasore district headquarters hospital in critical condition.
As per the complaint, the mother-in-law and husband of the victim had been reportedly torturing her both physically and mentally since her marriage demanding more dowry.
On Monday, the victim's husband beat her over dowry after which she asked her parents to lodge a complaint with police. Irked over this, the mother-in-law threw acid on her, following which she sustained burn injuries on her stomach and waist. Getting information, the parents of the victim rushed her to the Jaleswarpur hospital and later shifted to Balasore district headquarters hospital (DHH).
The deceased has been identified as Prabhasini of Rangipur village.
Sources said Prabhasini had married to one Laxmi Nahak of the same village on November 9. During the marriage, her parents had given Rs 1.70 lakh cash as dowry. But the groom’s family refused to take the money as the cash had contained old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. However, the bride’s parents had promised to exchange the notes later and took some time to do it.
The deceased’s parents alleged that the in-laws of their daughter used to torture her after marriage and killed her too as they failed to exchange the demonetised notes.
"We had promised them (Prabhasini's in-laws) that we will handover the new currency notes after complying with bank's transaction procedure. In fact we were about to give them the money within 2/3 days. But before that they killed our daughter as we delayed to give them the amount" said mother of Prabhasini.
On the other hand, Prabhasini’s in-laws attributed her death to suicide.
"Since we objected to receive the currency notes which contained scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, they told us to get it exchanged and took some time. This is nothing to do with the death of Prabhasini as she committed suicide and we are not responsible for that", said Jhili Nahak, sister-in-law of Prabhasini.
Meanwhile a different angle has come to the notice of the police as it has begun investigation.
Few days back Laxmi had married to one Santoshi Pradhan, another lady in the same village. Police suspect that this might have provoked Prabhasini to end life as theirs was a love marriage.
"We are analysing all the angles and are waiting for the post mortem report", said Asish Singh, SP, Berhampur.
Since all three are absconding, the notice was pasted on their house here.
The police action followed a day after Lopamudra applied for Domestic Incident Report (DIR) at the Protection Officer, Khurda and demanded compensation of Rs 5 crores, custody of her son and a house from her in-laws. Her statement was also recorded at the Mahila Police station under Section 161 of IPC yesterday.
In her police complaint, Lopamudra had alleged that she was subjected to physical and mental torture by her in-laws several times. As per the complaint filed, she had married Sabyasachi in 2006. However, after marriage, Sabyasachi allegedly tortured her physically and mentally.
“I have been subjected to immense torture. In one such instance, while we were in Port Blair, he thrashed me when I did not agree to his wife swapping demand. There have been many such instances. He and his family would assure me that such things will never happen. Unable to bear the torture and noncooperation of my husband and in-laws, I finally decided to approach the media,” said Lopamudra.
Meanwhile, Lopamudra has been provided security by the Commissionerate police after she lodged a complaint at the Badgarh police on Wednesday saying some miscreants were giving her life threat.
“The decision of the two to reunite and lead a happy conjugal life is in no way connected to politics. Politics and family matters are two different things altogether,” he said in an exclusive interview with OTV.
On his next move as a political leader after keeping himself aloof from politics from a long time, he said he had never been away from politics.
“I have always remained with the people. As I have understood, a person staying with the people and getting love and affection from them is politics. Notwithstanding what I have experienced in the last three years, I have been attending at least 20-25 meetings and programmes every month. The most important thing I have noticed is that wherever I have gone to attend a meeting or a programme, no one has raised my family matters,” Mohanty said.
He said the reunion of Barsa Swony with Rajashree was the most joyful moment for both the families.
“There was a misunderstanding between Rajashree and Barsa Swony over a trivial matter, which subsequently snowballed into a prolonged rivalry between the two families. However, with the passage of time, the two children realised their mistake and finally accepted each other. As a father, this is the most satisfying moment which is very difficult for me to express in words,” Mohanty said.
Asked for his reaction on the sequence of the events, which led to his suspension from the party and subsequently landed him in jail, he said “We have given birth to the son and the daughter who are the invaluable assets of a family. Time heals everything. I have always said truth will triumph. The truth has finally prevailed. When we have given birth to the son and the daughter, we have to accept everything”.
Asked about the reason behind the reunion of Rajashree and Barsa Swony, Mohanty said he had realised as a father that here must be consent between the two families after the two children have decided on a rapprochement and agreed to stay together.
Clarifying his absence at the reunion of his son and daughter-in-law in a hotel in Bhubaneswar yesterday, he said he had gone to Morada in Mayurbhanj to attend a meeting. “Since the meeting was scheduled 8-10 days ago, I could not attend the reunion,” he added.
As per sources, the victim, Rashmirekha, tied the knot with Asish Padhiari of Gokanpur village in 2017 and the couple had a six-month-old daughter.
The incident has sent shockwaves in the area while her family members have lodged a police complaint against her in-laws holding them responsible for their daughter’s death. The victim's family further alleged that her in-laws had been torturing her since marriage demanding more dowry and when their demand was not met they set her on fire.
Getting information, police rushed to the spot and seized the dead body. This apart, based on the complaint lodged by Rashmirekha's family, the cops have detained her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law for interrogation.
“A case has been registered in this connection. The body has been sent for post mortem. Further investigation is on and we are interrogating her husband and in-laws,” informed a police official.
The parents of the deceased alleged that she had been murdered for dowry. They said that their daughter had been subjected to physical and mental torture in her in-laws house for dowry.
According to police, Mandakini Swain of Baulajhari under the same police station had married Mithun Swain of Rohigaan two years ago. The couple has a 10-month-old son, police said.
The deceased's mother Laxmi Patra, who lodged the police complaint, alleged that her daughter had been tortured by her husband and other in-laws.
“She called me yesterday requesting to bring her back as she was in trouble. She was heard crying. When I enquired the matter, she suddenly switched off the mobile. I later tried to contact other family members but in vain. I immediately rushed to her in-laws house and on my way they informed me that my daughter was no more,” Laxmi said.
They killed my daughter after subjecting her to severe mental and physical torture, she alleged.
The in-laws of the deceased, however, rubbished the allegation and termed it a case of suicide.
Jala Swain, father-in-law of the deceased said “We had no family dispute. Yesterday, she locked the door from inside and went to sleep. In the morning, we knocked the door, but she didn’t respond. We later broke opened the door only to find her hanging.”
Police reached the spot and seized the body for post-mortem before launching an investigation into the allegation.
“Laxmi Patra, mother of the deceased has lodged a complaint alleging murder of her daughter. We received the information last night that she committed suicide,” said Biswanath Jali, Additional Inspector-in-charge of Sadar Police station.
Based on her complaint, a case has been registered and investigation has been launched accordingly, he added.
According to reports, Rinki was married to one Babaji Maharana of Endar village. Babaji's family claimed that Rinki committed suicide by hanging herself.
Alleging that Rinki has been murdered over dowry, her family members ransacked property and later set daughter's in-laws' house on fire.
Keeping in view the palpable tension in the village, Sadar Police have detained both members of both the families and further investigation in connection with Rinki's death is underway.
The deceased, identified as the daughter of one BhagyabanRana, had reportedly tied the knot with BenudharRana of Karalasoda village under Sadar police limits in March earlier this year. After she was found dead today, her family alleged that she was frequently tortured by her in-laws for dowry. There's this only reason that she has been murdered and hanged, they alleged.
"Ever since my daughter got married, her husband and in-laws had been torturing her over dowry. Now, they have killed her," alleged Bhagyaban.
After registering a case, police have initiated an investigation into the alleged murder under the supervision of Magistrate. "We have registered a case based on the statement of the father of the deceased. An investigation into the matter is underway.The exact cause of the woman's death can be ascertained only after we receive the post mortem report," informed Subash Chandra Mishra, investigating officer.
The in-laws of the deceased could not be contacted for response.
While any form of torture or harassment of a woman with the very objective of forcing her to meet a demand for property is penalised as per the law, the viral video from Odisha exposed that women are still falling prey to the dowry evil.
While narrating her ordeal, Sanjana Behera (the woman who is seen being tortured by her in-laws in the video) said that she married Ganeswar Behera of Dhaneswar village in 2016, and everything was fine for almost a year. However, things changed after 2017, as her in-laws allegedly started torturing her both physically and mentally demanding dowry.
Further speaking her heart out, Sanjana said that there were times when the torture became unbearable for her and she attempted suicide, but failed. "My in-laws had also given me poison in the past and used to hit me in the head to kill me," alleged Sanjana.
Yesterday, (September 25), she was allegedly tortured by her in-laws once again for dowry. But the video of the said incident soon went viral and following a complaint by Sanjana, police arrested her husband Ganeswar, father-in-law and mother-in-law.
However, her in-laws have denied the torture allegations. "We have not tortured her for dowry," said Uma Parida, mother-in-law of Sanjana.
Meanwhile, Jajpur ASP Akshya Kumar Das said, "We will take stern action against the accused so that no one will ever dare in future to resort to such torture for dowry."
"There's a need of social introspection. It's not a good sign as it will put a negative impact on the future generations," said social activist, Rutuparna Mohanty.
Though the incident took place on October 23, the matter came to the fore on Wednesday after the video of the survivor's father accusing her in-laws of committing the crime went viral on various social media platforms.
Reports said, one Bilash Chandra Das of Bhandaripokhari area in Bhadrak district had recently got his daughter married at Jalanda. However after few days of good rapport, the woman’s in-laws allegedly attempted to kill her by pouring kerosene and setting her on fire on last Wednesday.
Some villagers rushed to the spot after getting information and rescued the woman. They later admitted her to Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) and informed her parents.
The woman's father also reached the hospital and shifted her to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on the advice of doctors, said sources.
"When I went to Korei Police Station to lodge an FIR two days after the incident, an official present at the police station informed us that the IIC was not present. He asked us to just submit a written complaint and visit the PS after seven days,” said Das.
He alleged that even though seven days have passed, police are yet to take action into the matter. The survivor's father further alleged that though the health condition of his daughter is critical, police are yet to record her statement.
With no option left, Das narrated about the incident and subsequent police inaction into the case before a person who posted his statement on social media after capturing it in a video.
Meanwhile, following the incident, Korei police has registered a case and initiated a probe into the matter yesterday.
Korei Police Station IIC Ranjit Mohanty clarified that a dispute between Das and his son over filing of FIR in the case led to delay in probe into the matter.
Balasore SP Charan Singh Meena said, “I will look into the matter and direct the officials to take appropriate action.”
The family even shared the video on the social media to ‘absolve’ themselves of any complicity in the crime.
The parents of the deceased, Komal, have alleged that her husband’s family had been hounding her for dowry, which forced her to take the drastic step.
The woman’s father-in-law and mother-in-law have been arrested while her husband, Ashish, and her brother-in-law are on the run.
In the video, even as Komal is seen preparing to hang herself, the in-laws wait outside.
She can be seen tying a noose around a beam lining the asbestos roof. She is seen gasping as she ties the stole around her neck and tests the grip so it does not give way.
As she lets go and hangs herself, a man’s voice says, “Apne aap latak rahi hai (she hanged herself on her own).”
The man’s voice is presumably that of her father-in-law.
Confirming the video had been shot from outside the room where she hanged herself, SP (city) Arpit Vijayvargiya said, “They had tried to stop her from killing herself.”
Her parents, however, had a different story to tell.
Komal and Ashish got married in September 2019.
“I had given Rs 5 lakh and a bike to his family at the time. But his father Devendra, mother Savita and brother Sachin were not happy. About six months ago, they beat up Komal and drove her out of the house. The elders of the village sent her back,” the father of the deceased, Anil Kumar, said in his complaint to the police.
“Two months ago, they started demanding Rs 1.2 lakh. They said that they would get Ashish married to someone else if she could not pay the dowry. All four of them got together and killed my daughter,” he said.
Ashish, his brother and his parents have now been booked under sections 304B (dowry death), 498A (cruelty to married woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and under sections 3 (giving or taking dowry) and 4 (demanding dowry) of The Dowry Prohibition Act.
Yashpal Singh, SHO of Chhapar police station, said, “The parents have been arrested but Ashish and his brother Sachin are on the run. We will arrest them soon.”
The parents of the deceased have also reportedly mentioned the name of their son-in-law Jamini Gochhayat in the FIR as one of the accused.
As per the FIR, since the day of marriage, the Gochhayat family had been allegedly harassing and torturing the deceased for dowry.
Mother of the deceased woman alleged that on the day of the fateful night, Jamini informed them that he had taken his wife (their daughter) to the Capital hospital for some treatment; however, they found their daughter dead after reaching the hospital.
“We saw deep rope mark around her neck and her body had turned blue. They have killed our daughter for dowry. Our daughter had earlier complained us about their torture. Somehow, we were able to send her to the in-law’s house by giving some solace but that turned out to be a great mistake by us,” she lamented.
Tamando Police have sent the body to the Capital hospital for autopsy and filed a case against the accused, Bijay and Jamini, as per the allegations.
Details Awaited.
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The injured woman identified as one Madhusmita Rout was admitted to Athagarh hospital in a serious condition where she is currently under treatment.
As per reports, Madhusmita’s second marriage to Amaresh Chandra Sahu of Siaria was clouded under the shadow of dowry from the very beginning. Sources said, her in-laws had demanded Rs 9 lakh as dowry from her family, but they could only arrange Rs 5 lakh at the time of the wedlock.
Madhusmita alleged that pressure from her in-laws for dowry grew each passing day and they even did not show reluctance from attacking Amaresh and her six-year-old daughter for reportedly supporting her and opposing their demand for dowry.
As per Madhusmita's statement, her in-laws escalated their attack while taking advantage of the absence of Amaresh who is abroad for work.
But fortunately, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Athagarh rescued her from the locked house. A probe has been launched after registration of a case at Kanpur police station.
“My brother-in-law and other relatives continuously tortured me for dowry and even thrashed my husband for supporting me. I could have died in my room unless the SDPO had rescued me. I want justice for me and my daughter," Madhusmita told OTV.
Alok Rai, the SDPO of Athagarh said, “All the accused will be arrested soon. A case has been lodged and we are probing the matter.”
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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Nibedita has alleged that her husband and her in-laws have been torturing her since her marriage in February 2015.
“My in-laws started torturing me after 15 days of marriage. They used to harass me for small things in the house. I was even forced to do sit ups before everybody in the house,” alleged Nibedita.
Nibedita alleged her in-laws made had her life miserable. “I had lodged a complaint with police in connection with the torture. I had even staged a dharna in front of my in-laws house yesterday,” she said.
Nibedita further stated that her family had paid Rs 15 lakh in cash and other gold ornaments as dowry at the time of marriage. “My in-laws were forcing and demanding more money and gold ornaments. After I staged a dharna yesterday, my father-in-law and others locked me in the building,” she added.
Only after some reporters reached the place, the in-laws reportedly unlocked the room on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Nibedita’s in-laws could not be contacted over the dowry torture allegations levelled against them.
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)
They have said that they will not solemnise 'nikaah' in such functions.
This comes days after a cleric in Shamli district refused to solemnise a 'nikaah' after seeing the groom dancing 'violently' on the roof of a car to DJ music.
This left the groom and bride sides in a lurch and another cleric was called in to solemnise the marriage and ceremonies were wrapped up in a huff.
Qari Ishaq Gora, a well known cleric in Deoband, said, "Ulemas (clerics) everywhere are being told not to conduct 'nikaah' in such marriages. We are also against dowry and the clerics will not solemnise weddings where money has been given."
The decision to boycott such weddings was taken at a meeting of clerics in Muzaffarnagar.
The clerics also asked the people to avoid use of loud music and firecrackers.
Maulana Mufti Asrarul Haq, who had convened the meeting, said, "Every cleric has welcomed the decision. Even prominent people of the area have agreed with us."