Vijayapura (Karnataka): Mehboob Masli, a Muslim man who had raised his orphaned Hindu daughter Pooja Vadigeri (18), married her off to a Hindu boy as per vedic traditions in Karnataka's Vijayapura recently. He made sure that Pooja's marriage to a Hindu man as per customs was held in a grand manner on Friday.
Pooja was taken care of by Masli for almost ten years, and he had been her guardian, after her own relatives has disowned her. Despite, Masli being a father of two daughters and two sons, he decided to raise Pooja in his house. The man said that he gave Pooja to a Hindu boy as he considered it his responsibility to marry her off to a man from the religion she belongs to.
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Masli further said that though Pooja had stayed in his house for over a decade, he had never forced her to practice Islam nor marry a Muslim man as he considered it against his principles. He further expressed happiness stating that the groom's parents accepted Pooja sans demanding dowry. He also said that he intends to send across the message to society that everyone should live in harmony.
The man is also well known in the city for many social services and for having organized events that promote communal harmony. He is also known for taking part in all Hindu festivals including Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri in the town. Meanwhile, Pooja expressed her happiness for having been blessed with such great parents who have taken care of her in a great way.
