Patuakhali: A wedding in Patuakhali’s Dashmina Upazila took a turn for the worse on Thursday when a dispute over ‘gate money’ escalated into a clash, leaving several guests injured.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the incident unfolded Thursday afternoon at the Mallik house in Dhandhania village, where friends and relatives had gathered to celebrate a wedding. The joyous occasion turned tense around 4:30 pm when a disagreement over the customary practice of ‘gate money’ spiraled out of control.
‘Gate money,’ often a light-hearted negotiation between the bride’s and groom’s families, unexpectedly became the catalyst for a heated argument. Within moments, the situation escalated into a physical clash, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals. The groom’s family reported financial losses amounting to approximately Tk 300,000.
The injured include Russel Mallik, 25, Shafiq Hawlader, 26, and Shakil Hossain, 16, from the groom’s side, along with Jamal Hawlader, 40, from the bride’s side. Three of the injured were treated at Dashmina Upazila Health Complex, while one required advanced treatment in Bauphal.
For the families involved, the incident has left a profound emotional impact. The bride’s father, Sagar Mia, expressed regret, stating, “It happened due to a misunderstanding.” Meanwhile, the groom’s family claimed they were the victims of an attack. Despite the altercation, both sides have expressed hopes for reconciliation.
Imam Mehedi, the Investigation Officer at Dashmina Police Station, stated, “Legal steps will be taken after investigation if we receive any complaint.”