Even as violence continues in the communally charged district of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, in a heart warming incident a Hindu doctor was able to solemnise his wedding thanks to his Muslim neighbours escorting his procession to ensure its safety.

Dr Ashish Sharma and his family was first escorted by hundreds of Muslim neighbours to Chowgam ground from where they went to Poochal area, where his bride lived. The doctor, speaking to Firstpost from Kishtwar over telephone, described the event as one of the most memorable and emotional moments of his life.

“I had lost all hope. We called the police for help but they said it was impossible to reach Poochal, where the bride lived,” he said.

The doctor’s marriage was to be solemnised on Saturday, a day after communal riots broke out in the district.

Naresh Sharma, the bridegroom’s father who is an employee with the Excise department of Jammu and Kashmir state government, said he had tried to explore every possible option but failed to get any protection to go ahead with the ceremony.

“I called the district administration and police. It was obvious they were busy with their own work, so they bluntly refused to help,” he told Firstpost.

However, that was when his neighbours stepped in.

“All the Muslim villagers gathered and told my father that they will make sure the procession reaches the Chowgam ground through the Muslim-dominated areas. Some of them even accompanied me to the house of bride,” the 29-year-old doctor said.

Sharma, who practices at a private clinic in Kishtwar, said he is proud of his Muslim neighbours who have lived by his family in amity for decades. The recent clashes between the two communities have dented the image of Kishtiwar town, he said.

“We have still not been able to understand what has transpired over the last four days. This is not how civilised people behave from both sides. We should live in peace and harmony with each other and continue the centuries-old tradition of mutual respect and tolerance for each other. As far as I know this town has always fought the forces who divided,” he said.

Shekhar Sharma, the bridegroom’s uncle, said that the marriage could not have been deferred due to the riots once the mehendiceremony had been completed.

“We were very worried about the situation. Then the neighbors came and said the marriage won’t have to be called off. This is Jammu and Kashmir where the centuries old tradition of living together is not an aberration,” he said.

However, despite such incidents there was no respite for the residents of the region with curfew continuing to be imposed for the fourth day in Kishtwar to put an end to communal clashes, in which three people lost their lives so far.

Source: First Post