A normal wedding in India means the groom riding a horse to the bride’s house, guests coming in with presents and priests chanting all the mantras.
Something unusual was seen in Alwar recently, where the bride rode a chariot to the groom’s house and their wedding was solemnised by the Indian Constitution and not any priest.
Ajay Jatav was getting married to Babita in Karol village of the Alwar district. The duo set an excellent example for others to follow and sent out important social messages through their wedding.
According to a report by TOI, every guest at the wedding received a copy of the Indian Constitution and a sapling. Moreover, the wedding was entirely plastic-free. The couple also donated books worth ₹30,000 to set up a library in the village.
Talking to TOI, Babita, the bride who led her baraat, said:
Ajay and I wanted to rewrite some conventions to ensure gender equality. We meant to send social messages through our marriage. I hope we have inspired more couples to do the same.
There was more to the wedding. The carriage on which the bride sat, was flanked by the portraits of BR Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha on both sides. Babita and Ajay being a Dalit couple themselves, sent out a strong message at a time when Dalits all over the country are being discriminated against.
The couple also pledged to uphold the values of the Indian Constitution.
A wedding of many firsts, it sent out several important messages to society.