Weddings That Break Families

In a culture where weddings have become contests of wealth, a Kashmiri father wonders what happened to simplicity and faith.

- Muntashir Kifayat Hussain

Somehow, my heart still beats under the rubble of our extravagant display.

Watching the chaos around, I am reminded of Jaun Elia’s haunting lines: “Dar hai chaba na jayein kaleeja nikal kar, rehte hain tere shehar mein Hinda mizaaz log.” I feel that fear, that my heart might be chewed out for speaking the truth in a society that celebrates excess while preaching simplicity.

I teach at a government school in Narabal and am a father of four daughters. Every rupee I earn goes toward their education. But, whenever I see the endless train of lavish Kashmiri weddings, something inside me breaks.

Lights, noise, and feasts are so far removed from what marriage was meant to be.