Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Interfaith couple cancels reception after protests
A man named Adnan and a woman named Neelam got married in a court in Delhi five months ago.
They planned to have a big party called a 'walima' to celebrate their marriage in Shahjahanpur.
But some right-wing group members didn't like that they were from different religions.
They protested outside the police station and demanded that the party be cancelled.
Because of this, the family had to call off the party.
The activists also asked the police to take action against those who organized the party.
The police visited the venue and confirmed that the party was cancelled.
The couple had to return to Delhi, and all the food prepared for the guests went to waste.
The groom's father said he invited people verbally and did not print or circulate any invitation cards.
An interfaith couple, Adnan Ansari (27) and Neelam (30), were forced to cancel their wedding reception (walima) in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, due to protests by right-wing group members.
The couple had married in a Delhi court on September 12, 2023, under the Special Marriage Act.
Protesters demanded the cancellation of the walima, alleging it could disturb communal harmony, and submitted a complaint to the police calling for an FIR against the organizers.
The police confirmed that the wedding was solemnized under the Special Marriage Act and no untoward incident was found.
The groom's father claimed that the police asked them not to proceed with the event, leading to the cancellation of the walima and the wastage of food prepared for around 600 guests.
- Who
- An interfaith couple, Adnan Ansari (27) and Neelam (30), and right-wing activists
- What
- The couple was forced to cancel their wedding reception (walima) due to protests
- When
- The incident occurred on January 12, 2024, with the protest starting in the morning and the reception scheduled for the evening
- Where
- The protest took place outside the Kotwali police station, and the reception was to be held at a local marriage lawn in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Why
- Right-wing activists protested against the interfaith marriage, alleging it could disturb communal harmony
- Location
- Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Date of Incident
- January 12, 2024
- Groom's Name
- Adnan Ansari (27)
- Bride's Name
- Neelam (30)
- Occasion
- Walima (wedding reception)
- Activists' Demand
- Cancellation of the walima and FIR against organizers
- Marriage Date
- September 12, 2023 (Delhi court)
- Marriage Act
- Special Marriage Act
Sources
Interfaith Marriage Sparks Hindu Group Protest in Shahjahanpur, Reception Cancelled
UP: Interfaith marriage in Shahjahanpur triggers protest by Hindu activists; reception called off
‘Hindu activists’ storm, shut down interfaith marriage reception in UP’s Shahjahanpur
Hindu activists force cancellation of interfaith wedding reception in UP
Interfaith couple call off wedding reception in UP after right-wing members protest