The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at a guest house in the Khaga Kotwali area (also referred to as Khaga tehsil), where 25-year-old Sumit Kesarwani, a local jeweller, was set to marry 19-year-old Tanu Kesarwani from Prayagraj. The couple had reportedly been in a relationship for two years and had already solemnized their marriage at an Arya Samaj temple, with court registration completed, indicating it was a love marriage with eventual family consent.
According to police and eyewitness accounts reported across multiple sources, the trouble began during the wedding rituals, specifically while jewellery presentation (jewelry exchange) was underway at the mandap. The bride's pet dog—named "Sixer" in some social media references—was brought along by her family and tied at a short distance from the venue to avoid disruption.
The dog started barking repeatedly, disturbing the proceedings. Irritated members of the groom's side allegedly attempted to silence the animal, with one young man (described as a relative or guest from the groom's family) accused of beating or kicking the dog to quiet it down.
This act triggered immediate outrage from the bride's family, who viewed it as an act of cruelty. A heated argument ensued, quickly spiraling into a physical confrontation involving chairs, sticks, and other objects. Several people sustained injuries: reports specify that three members of the bride's family—Rishabh Kesarwani, Shubham Gupta, and Sangeeta Devi—suffered head injuries, while another individual reportedly had a fractured hand. At least five people in total were hurt and later treated at a nearby community health centre.
Witnessing the incident and the subsequent violence, the bride refused to proceed with the marriage. She reportedly expressed that she could not join a family capable of harming animals, seeing the behavior as a serious red flag regarding character, compassion, and values. Despite the couple's prior commitment and the elaborate arrangements, she stood firm in her decision to cancel the ceremony on the spot.
Police from Khaga Kotwali intervened to bring the situation under control and mediate between the families. No formal complaints were filed, and the matter was resolved amicably at the police station. Gifts and money exchanged as part of the wedding were returned, and the groom's baraat (wedding procession) departed without the marriage taking place.
The episode has ignited widespread discussion across Uttar Pradesh and on social media, with many praising the bride's stance as a powerful statement on empathy toward animals and the importance of observing a partner's (or their family's) behavior toward pets as a reflection of broader character. Dog lovers and animal rights advocates have hailed it as an example of choosing compassion over societal pressure, with some online comments jokingly crediting the dog with "saving" the bride from a potentially unhappy future. Others have debated whether the reaction was proportionate, noting that the groom himself was not directly involved in harming the dog.
This unusual turn of events highlights how seemingly minor incidents can reveal deeper incompatibilities in relationships and family dynamics, especially in the high-stakes context of Indian weddings. Authorities confirmed that the situation remained peaceful after intervention, with no further escalation reported.
For More News Updates Follow Us On www.tconews.in
