Communal harmony: Muslims participate in marriage ceremony of Kashmiri Pandit’s daughters in Kashmir

Communal harmony: Muslims participate in marriage ceremony of Kashmiri Pandit’s daughters in Anantnag

Jahangeer Ganaie

Anantnag, Jun 07 (KNO): In yet another example of communal harmony, the local Muslims in Sirhama village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district participated in the marriage ceremony of two daughters of a Kahsmir Pandit, Pran Nath.

Locals from Sirhama told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they participated in the marriage ceremony of the Pandit family, who have been living here for centuries.

“It is our duty to be a part of happy and sad moments especially at a time when only a few people from the community have been living here,” they said.

The family has been living in the village over the years and sharing an emotional bond with local Muslim neighbours.

In a heartwarming gesture, the local Muslims visited the residence of Pran Nath, whose two daughters—Sakshi and Sheetu got married.

They helped the family in arranging firewood, tents, cleaning premises, decorating the house and surrounding, besides making arrangements for guests.

Local Muslims remained there full day and left the spot only after the daughters of Pran were taken by the families where they got married.

The local Muslim women were seen singing Kashmiri folk songs and dancing throughout the day with the Pandit women, who had come to participate in the marriage ceremony.

There are around five Pandit families in the village, who haven’t left the area even during unfavorable conditions several times.

They also thanked Muslim population for their participation and help during happy and sad moments.

Meanwhile, similar scenes were witnessed in Sirnoo Pulwama and Wahibugh Pulwama where two daughters of Pran Nath got married.

Locals from Sirnoo and Wahibugh told KNO that mostly Muslims were seen making arrangements as just a few Pandit families were living there.

“We have been living together for years now and we are participating in each other’s functions, be it marriage, someone’s death or any other function, we have been together,” they said.

Both Pandits and Muslims said that Kashmir still exhibits the long-standing religious harmony and unity. Here, Pandits and Muslims co-exist and have always shared each other’s happiness and suffering—(KNO)