Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Apr 20: After his request for permission to hold ‘Beegara Oota (customary post-marriage non-vegetarian feast at groom’s place)’ was rejected by the taluk election officer, a person approached the state High Court, and succeeded in obtaining its permission to organize the event.
The marriage of a lawyer based in Doddamagge in Arkalgud taluk, Hassan district, was solemnized on Thursday April 18. The father of the groom, who was aware of the prevailing restrictions on organizing feasts because of the election code of conduct, had approached the taluk electoral officer, who happened to be tahsildar in the case, for permission to hold the feast. But he was denied permission, upon which he approached the High Court.
On behalf of the Election Commission (EC), it was argued that it would be difficult to keep vigil on the guests at this function, as the applicant had mentioned the number of expected guests as 1,500. It wanted the number of guests to be pruned down. The EC also sought an opportunity to keep tab on the proceedings at the venue. To a question, the lawyer representing the EC also said that as per their knowledge, the groom’s father is a Congressman.
The lawyer for the petitioner said that the function had been fixed long before the assembly election was announced, and that it was a family function without any political interest attached to it.
The bench of Justice A S Bopanna, after hearing the arguments, permitted the petitioner to go ahead with the feast with certain preconditions. It has been prescribed that the feast, to be held on Sunday April 21, should be arranged in the home of the petitioner, the time frame of the feast should be between 10.30 am and 7 pm, and that it should be ensured that political personalities and those in the election fray do not attend the feast. If a group of 25 or more persons arrive together, the host should allow the officials to check them, the order said. The HC also prescribed that no election-related materials should be allowed to be used at the feast.