Two faiths, one celebration: rain unites Hindu, Muslim weddings in Pune
Pune: “Only in India can something like this happen,” said members of two families whose children, one Hindu couple and one Muslim couple, got married on the same stage in Pune on Tuesday evening, turning a rain-disrupted wedding into a heartwarming celebration of unity and humanity.
The wedding of Sankruti Kawade and Narendra Galande was scheduled at Alankaran Lawns near the SRPF Grounds in Wanawadi. But as preparations were underway, heavy rains lashed the venue, halting the Hindu rituals and forcing guests to seek shelter.
Meanwhile, in a nearby covered hall, the Walima ceremony of Mohsin Kazi and Maheen—son and daughter-in-law of retired police officer Faruk Kazi—was taking place.
In a remarkable act of generosity and compassion, the Kazi family welcomed the disrupted wedding party into their venue. Not only did they vacate the stage, but their guests also helped set up for the Hindu rituals. Both weddings were conducted respectfully, back-to-back.
The families didn’t just share space—they shared emotions, food, and joy. The Kazis invited the Kawades to join in their wedding feast and even arranged space for their food. The joint celebration lasted well into the night.
“I saw their wedding was in trouble and I felt their pain. As a father, I knew what it must have meant to them. It was only natural to help,” said Faruk Kazi.
The sight of two newlywed couples, one Hindu and one Muslim, sharing the same stage symbolized more than just a coincidence—it became a moving reminder that in moments of chaos, compassion and togetherness still shine.
“This is the real India,” said both families with pride.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
