Community Takes Stand Against Lavish Weddings

Pune, May 26 (PTI): Prominent families from the Maratha community along with politicians convened on Monday to discuss measures to curb lavish weddings. This comes in the wake of the tragic suicide of Vaishnavi, the daughter-in-law of Rajendra Hagawane, an expelled Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader.

On May 16, Vaishnavi was found hanging at her home in Bavdhan, Pimpri-Chinchwad, situated in Pune district. Her family has alleged that she was subjected to dowry harassment by Hagawane, a member of the Maratha community, and his family, including a demand for Rs 2 crore to purchase land. Despite receiving 51 tolas (595 gm) of gold, silver, and an SUV during the wedding, the harassment reportedly continued. The wedding was a grand affair held at an upscale resort in Pune in 2023, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the head of the NCP, presenting the SUV keys to the couple.

The meeting in Pune to draft a wedding code of conduct was attended by notable community leaders, including Pune city Congress unit president Arvind Shinde, NCP (SP) leaders Ankush Kakde and Chetan Tupe (MLA, Hadapsar), former Pune mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale, former corporator Shrikant Shirole, NCP (SP) city unit president Prashant Jagtap, and Maratha quota activist Rajendra Kondhare.

"The entire community woke up after this tragic incident. Today, we deliberated on how to curb practices seen in big fat weddings. A platform will be formed comprising key community members to take this idea forward," Shirole stated.

The meeting resulted in several resolutions, including recommendations to forego extravagant weddings in favor of modest ceremonies, and to raise awareness among in-laws about treating daughters-in-law with respect and dignity. The meeting also emphasized parental support for daughters facing harassment.

Congress leader Arvind Shinde expressed the community's resolve to socially ostracize families guilty of harassing daughters-in-law. "No one will give or take daughters in marriage from such families," he asserted.

Shinde highlighted that middle-class families often feel compelled to mimic the luxurious weddings of wealthier families, leading to financial burdens and even the sale of properties or loans. He urged the community to end such practices.

Former mayor Bhosale reiterated the importance of sensitizing in-laws to treat daughters-in-law as their own daughters. "Women must be empowered to stand on their own feet," she added, noting the importance of parental support in cases of harassment.

Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange stated that the investigation into Vaishnavi Hagawane's dowry death would test the efficacy of the state home department. He recently visited Vaishnavi's parents in Pune to extend his condolences.

Addressing reporters, Jarange remarked, "The probe into Vaishnavi's dowry death will reveal whether the home department is functioning effectively and if the victim's family will receive justice." He warned of a potential "uprising" if the probe fails to bring the culprits to justice.

Jarange emphasized the necessity of abolishing dowry, labeling it a societal evil. Police have arrested Rajendra Hagawane, his son Shashank, mother-in-law Lata, sister-in-law Karishma, and brother-in-law Sushil. They have also detained five others, including the son of a former Karnataka minister, for allegedly providing shelter to Rajendra and Sushil while they were evading arrest.