Sex and relationships may be a taboo in our country but they gain legitimacy in the eyes of the society once the people involved are bound in the bond of marriage. However, a teacher couple had to undergo a harrowing experience just because they were getting married.
The couple Tariq Bhat and Sumaya Bashir were working as teachers in Pampore Muslim Educational Institute, a private school in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir. However, the couple was suddenly sacked on November 30, the day of their wedding.
According to Outlook, The chairman of the school Bashir Masoodi elaborated on the suspension as the Principal was unavailable to comment and said,
“They were involved in a romantic relationship before marriage and that might affect the 2,000 students studying in the school and also the 200 teaching faculty. It can have adverse effects on them.”
However, the couple said that the allegations were false and that they had an arranged marriage.
They also alleged that the school was attempting to tarnish their image. Tariq Bhat said,
“We had an arranged marriage. We got engaged to each other a few months back and the school management was aware of it. Sumaya even hosted a party for the school faculty and management after the engagement.”
Refuting all the claims of the school, he held his ground that they were a victim of unfair suspension. He added,
“We duly applied for leave a month before our marriage and the management raised no objections to it. If we had a romantic relationship, did they come to know about it only after we announced our wedding plans? We just got married, we have not Sinned or committed a crime.”
Despite marriage being an ancient institution, the idea of ‘love’ in one is still unacceptable and it’s ridiculous. We are living in the 21st century but it pains us to see that our society is not moving towards progress but away from it.