Rs 25 lakh cash garland triggers stone-pelting at Haryana wedding

A lavish Rs 25 lakh cash garland ceremony at a wedding in Haryana’s backward yet cash-flush Mewat belt spiralled into chaos after a dispute over “who would honour the groom first” triggered stone-pelting between two groups in Nuh district.

The dramatic incident, whose videos are now viral on social media, has once again reignited debate over the growing culture of extravagant cash displays during weddings in the region.

The clash took place in Nehda village under Punhana subdivision when the wedding procession of Pappu, son of Mehboob Qureshi, was preparing to leave for Ali Mev village. According to locals, the groom’s brother-in-law Nayoom, a resident of Singar village, ceremonially adorned the groom with a garland allegedly made of currency notes worth around ₹25 lakh.

However, tensions erupted when Nayoom’s relative from Hatiyaka village in Uttar Pradesh objected, insisting that his side’s garland was also on the way and the procession should wait before moving ahead. What began as an argument soon escalated into a confrontation.

Eyewitnesses said both sides indulged in heated abuse before pelting stones at each other, turning the celebratory atmosphere into panic and tension. Though no serious injuries were reported, the wedding venue witnessed chaos for some time.

Police rushed to the spot after receiving information and managed to bring the situation under control. Officials said no formal complaint had been lodged by either side so far, though inquiries were under way.

The viral videos from the scene have triggered sharp reactions online, with many questioning the culture of competitive cash display in the Mewat region.

Ironically, despite Nuh being counted among India’s most backward districts on several socio-economic indicators, extravagant wedding rituals involving lakhs of rupees in cash garlands remain common across the belt.

Social activists, advocates and local intellectuals expressed concern over the trend, saying such practices — linked to social prestige and status — are increasingly becoming flashpoints for disputes and violence. Many demanded collective social reform to curb the culture of financial showmanship at weddings before more celebrations turn into conflict zones.