Social distancing and other norms imposed by the government do not appear to have been heeded by former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy’s family as his son and actor Nikhil Kumaraswamy got married in the presence of guests at a farmhouse in Ramanagara on Friday, 17 April.
Visuals from the ceremony showed several people crowding around the couple, without wearing masks.
Following a high profile engagement in February, Nikhil Kumaraswamy got married to his fiancee Revathi in the presence of over 100 guests, reportedly.
Revathi is the grand niece of senior Karnataka Congress leader and former minister M Krishnappa.
The wedding had been planned as a low-key affair due to the ongoing lockdown because of COVID-19 with the former CM stating that only a few attendees would be present, comprising mainly family members. The wedding celebrations were earlier meant to take place at, Janapadaloka on the outskirts of Bengaluru but had to be shifted owing to the lockdown.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, 21 April sought the response of the state government on a petition filed that questioned the breach of social distancing guidelines at the Ramanagara wedding. The court has ordered the government to submit its response by 24 April.
Addressing the media on 18 April, Chief Minister Yediyurappa defended the nuptials of the former Karnataka CM’s son.
“HD Kumaraswamy held the wedding (of his son Nikhil with Revathi, grand-niece of ex-Congress Minister M Krishnappa) in a simple manner. No need to discuss the issue. Even though his family is large he held the wedding in limits. I convey my regards,” he said.
Visuals from the wedding ceremony showed relatives and attendees crowding around the couple to bless them, not appearing to maintain a one-metre distance as advised. Additionally, contrary to assurances from Kumaraswamy’s team about guests having to wear masks, none of the guests could be spotted wearing one.
When asked about the wedding during the daily COVID-19 briefings, minister for primary and secondary education Suresh Kumar said,”We have requested them to maintain social distancing. They have told us that they will take required steps and they had requested people not many people to come. I’m not aware what has happened there. We will look into it.”
The deputy commissioner had on 16 April, set the following conditions for the wedding to take place:
- The wedding must happen in the presence of family members only
- Every guest must wear a mask
- Every guest must practise social distancing; a team each of health department and police officials will be formed to monitor whether any conditions are violated
- A family member must be present at the checkpoint to point out the family members to ensure others do not attend the wedding
- The Health Department must set up thermal screening facility for the guests
- Passes and permission letters should be obtained from the respective Deputy Commissioners if they are coming from other districts
‘Guests Will be Screened; Medical Team on Standby’: Former CM
“We have decided to complete the marriage rituals in the presence of 15-20 family members at home," Kumaraswamy had earlier said.
In a video message to media, Kumaraswamy had explained that the wedding would be a low-profile ceremony and requested party workers and well-wishers to bless the couple from their homes, and not to visit the venue.
He also reportedly said that a medical team would be on standby and would screen attendees.
Official permission had reportedly been sought from the government to conduct a ‘low-key’ wedding.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy, a film actor, entered politics in 2019 and contested from the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency and lost to Sumalatha Ambareesh. The engagement party was held at Taj West End near Bangalore Turf Club on 10 February.
In a series of tweets, Kumaraswamy thanked lakhs of supporters and well-wishers for their blessings for his son’s Nikhil’s ‘simple’ wedding ceremony.
In Kannada, he said that the ceremony had been conducted keeping in mind government restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak.
‘Sought Report From Ramanagara Authorities’: Deputy CM
Karnataka Deputy CM Ashwath Narayan had earlier said that cases will be booked against those violating social distancing norms while conducting big events. “I have sought a report from Ramnagar Deputy Commissioner. I will speak to the Superintendent of Police, we need to take action otherwise it will be a complete mockery of the system,” he said, according to ANI.
The wedding date was not postponed as 17 April is an auspicious date and as the lockdown was earlier meant to end on 14 April, Kumaraswamy had said to PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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