Baghpat (UP), March 12 Beyond their duty, soldiers stepped forward to perform the 'kanyadan' (giving away a bride) at a woman's wedding here, in support of a fellow soldier who died in a road accident in 2020.
The incident came to light after a video of the ceremony on Monday surfaced on social media, in which soldiers were seen carrying the bride to the stage under a floral canopy during the 'jaimala' ceremony.
According to local residents, Havildar Harendra Singh, a resident of Katha village and a soldier of the 21 Jat Regiment, had died in a road accident while on duty in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Amrita, daughter Prachi, and two sons, Harshit and Akshit, they said.
After receiving Prachi's wedding invitation, several colleagues of the late soldier took leave and traveled to attend the ceremony on Monday and assist the family, they said.
The soldiers also jointly contributed around Rs 6.5 lakh as part of the 'kanyadaan'.
Captain Yashpal Singh, retired Honorary Captain Rajesh Gulia, Subedar Dharmveer Singh, Subedar Ramratan, Subedar Dharmendra, and Havildar Kiranpal were among the 14 soldiers from the 21 Jat Regiment who participated in the ceremony.
They helped manage the arrangements and welcomed the wedding procession.
