In a shocking incident highlighting the ongoing menace of dowry in India, a groom in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district walked out of his wedding just before the pheras (marriage rituals), demanding a luxury Fortuner car as dowry. When the bride's father, a tailor by profession, expressed his inability to meet the demand, the groom left the venue with half the wedding procession.
The incident took place in a village under the Gudhagorji police station limits on Saturday night. The wedding was organized with much fanfare, and preparations were made by the bride’s father according to his financial capacity. After the jaimala (garland exchange ceremony), the groom, Nitish, suddenly refused to proceed with the wedding unless he was gifted a Fortuner car.
Despite emotional pleas and attempts to reason with him, the groom remained adamant. He locked himself in a room before eventually leaving the wedding venue with several members of his baraat (wedding party), never to return.
According to reports, the bride is a private school teacher and also preparing for competitive exams. The groom works with a private insurance company, and his father is employed overseas. The engagement had taken place three months ago, and dowry-related customs were reportedly observed at the time.
The local community has expressed outrage and is demanding strict legal action against the groom and his family under anti-dowry laws, stating that such greed must be punished to set a strong societal precedent.