Wedding-day ragging - a new social evil in Kerala

The much abused act has taken a new but more serious form in parts of Kerala by the name "marriage ragging",a practice of playing pranks and springing shocks on the couple on the wedding day by the groom's friends.

It all began as a 'tension reliever' some time back but several incidents reported in recent times reveals that it is increasingly becoming a social menace. Often, the pranksters not only harass the couples but also their family members.

There were instances of it resulting in abrupt end of marriages, wrecking of family relations and pushing people into depression and psychological disorders among couples.
"Marriage raggings" are mostly reported from northern districts like Kannur, Kasargode, Kozhikode and Malappuram.

Till some years ago, harmless acts such as singing parody songs, displaying placards with comic illustrations and humorous punchlines or bursting crackers while the groom ties "mangalasutra" over bride’s neck were done as a diversion during marriage ceremonies.

They were funny and enjoyed by family members and guests as they added to the festive mood.

But gradually, it started assuming a serious dimension with the groom’s friends tending to misuse the freedom by drunken revelry and indecent behaviour, turning weddings into a tense occasion.