Kannur: The Thaliparamba Police has issued a bizarre order prohibiting 'ganamela' on loudspeakers during wedding parties saying such celerbations 'do not suit our culture'.
Recently, a youngster at Thottada here was killed in a bomb attack on a friend's wedding day allegedly in the aftermath of an argument over playing music on loudspeakers. At least three bombs were hurled on the occasion.
The issue has sparked a debate in Kerala, especially in north Kerala, where wild celebrations and incidents of bullying newlyweds have been reported, and in some cases, such events have ended in untoward incidents.
It is in this regard that TK Ratnakumar, Deputy Police Superintendent, Thaliparamba, issued a notice to local self-government bodies on Thursday.
However, the wordings in the senior police officer's statement have reportedly raised a few eyebrows.
"Wedding celebrations," the police statement says, "should be in tune with our culture". People's representatives and social and cultural leaders in the locality have been urged to advise families to respect the culture of the land during celebrations.
"Under no circumstances will permission be given to conducting 'ganamela' on loudspeakers," Ratnakumar stated. The police statement adds that "drug usage at wedding parties have increased to alarming levels" turning the occasion into a disgrace.
