NAGPUR: In an effort to push some sense of punctuality in members of its community, Central Sindhi Panchayat in Bhopal has passed a resolution to impose Rs5000 fine on brides and grooms who arrive late for their wedding receptions. The diktat also includes two other rules that prohibit ladies from dancing on the roads as part of the baaraat procession and groom’s relatives and friends asking for money from the bride’s side before letting the groom get out of the car.

In the city, various Sindhi associations are still discussing the issue though they agree that it has become a chronic problem for the community which needs to be addressed. The Nag Vidarbha Central Sindhi Panchayat, which is the apex body under which 34 other Sindhi associations in the city fall, has still not passed such a resolution. Its president, Vijay Kewalramani says that he is against the implementation of such a fine. “As of now, we will not implement it. Discipline has to come from within,” he says. There should not be any fear or coercion for arriving on time. People should be responsible enough to do so, he adds.

Sindhi weddings are held during the day and receptions take place in evening. But rituals take long and the ceremony gets over only after 5pm. The delays occur as the bride and groom go home to change their clothes. Brides who change clothes and make up get held up at beauty parlours. This delays their arrival at venue. Even grooms take their time in dressing up. “I feel people should give the correct time on the invitation cards,” says Manohar Mangalani, president of Sindhu Jhulelal Welfare Society. “A lot of time gets wasted just waiting for newlyweds and their parents. If there is a fear of a fine, maybe people will start being more punctual.”

Not being present to receive the guests is disrespectful, says Dr Vinky Rughwani, the president of Vidarbha Sindhi Vikas Parishad. “But imposing a fine is not the proper way to correct this. I am also against the ban on women dancing as these are times of equality and denying them this pleasure would amount to discrimination.” Not just the bride and groom, even the guests arrive late as Sindhis are a business community. “Barely 20% of guest from the community arrive by 8.30pm. It’s only around 11pm that the crowds swell. The caterers also know this and begin service late. This becomes very awkward for non-Sindhi guests,” he adds.

But the community has learnt to take this late coming in its stride, says Sanjay Wadhwani, president of Pujya Shikarpuri Panchayat. “We are trying to create an awareness to help resolve this issue. Penalties and fines are no solutions to a social problem like this one,” he adds.

