Tree along Rajasthan-MP border becomes nikah venue

They did not have permission to cross the border as both states have imposed curbs on movement and the authorities allowed only five persons from each side for the nikah ceremony that lasted barely 15 minutes. Besides the qaazi and a cleric, the 26-year-old bride had her parents with her while the groom came with his parents and two witnesses.

“It was destiny. We did not want to miss the date because it would have been a bad omen. Maybe this is what the Almighty wanted. Haalaat se samjhauta karke aur dil pe patthar rakh ke kiya (we compromised with the situation and did it with a heavy heart),” Nisar Mohammed Khan, the bride’s father, told The Indian Express over phone.

The 60-year-old retired government teacher said the nikah was fixed in December, and till few days ago, the families thought it would be held on March 24. He said he took permission from the sub-divisional magistrate.

Before the nikah was performed, a medical practitioner checked all the 10 persons, sanitised their hands and made them wear masks. “We did not even offer a glass of water, forget sweets. It was a very simple affair,” Khan said, adding “we followed all corona rules”. “It was still an emotional affair,” he said. “The whole world is scared, I am no exception,” he said of the pandemic, sounding relieved that the ceremony was over. Khan said there was no question of taking a photographer along because authorities would not allow any extra person.

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