A Japanese expatriate groom reportedly left his bride’s home without completing the marriage ceremony after objecting to the absence of mutton in a traditional wedding dish known locally as ‘Khadore’ in Akhaura, Brahmanbaria.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon, 17 August, in Tolatala village of Dharkhar Union in Akhaura upazila. The groom, identified as Junaid, is the son of Abdul Jalil of Niamatpur village in Kasba upazila.
According to local sources, Junaid arrived at the bride’s home for the wedding ceremony and was formally welcomed with flowers. During the reception, however, he reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the way he was welcomed and made critical remarks in front of people attending the ceremony.
After the floral reception and gate-related rituals were completed, the groom was taken to the designated area for the remaining wedding arrangements.
Later, food was served to the groom’s side as part of the traditional hospitality associated with the ceremony. Among the dishes was ‘Khadore’, a traditional wedding food associated with the Brahmanbaria region. It was at this stage that Junaid noticed that mutton was not included.
He objected to the meal and reportedly said that he would not eat without mutton. He also made it clear that he would not proceed with the marriage ceremony unless the meat was provided.
The situation quickly became tense as relatives and other guests from the bride’s side tried to persuade him to reconsider. Several people reportedly attempted to explain the situation and prevent the disagreement over the food from bringing the wedding to an abrupt end.
Their efforts, however, failed. Junaid remained firm in his decision and eventually left the bride’s home alone without completing the marriage.
The bride’s father, Shafik Mia, said he would have arranged mutton for the traditional dish had he been informed beforehand.
“I would have arranged the mutton if I had been told earlier. Nobody informed me about the matter beforehand,” he said. He added that relatives and others present at the wedding also tried to convince the groom to stay, but he did not agree.
Local Union Parishad member Ashik Mia described the incident as unfortunate. He said no parent would want their daughter’s wedding to end in such circumstances.
According to Ashik Mia, those present tried repeatedly to persuade Junaid after the dispute over the food arose, but he remained unwilling to continue with the marriage without mutton in the dish.
The incident has drawn attention locally because a wedding ceremony, which had progressed to the stage of serving the groom and his relatives, ultimately ended without the marriage being solemnised. The disagreement centred on a traditional food item, but neither side was able to resolve the dispute sufficiently for the ceremony to continue.
