Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Nov 11
The Kashmir Waza Association has decided that its members will not serve Wazwan at weddings and other functions beyond 10 pm, citing prolonged working hours and inadequate facilities for chefs and their assistants.
The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting of the association held at a marriage hall in Srinagar’s Rajouri Kadal area on Wednesday.
Association members said Wazas and their workers were frequently required to work for extended periods, sometimes until after the Fajr prayers, without adequate arrangements for rest.
Association president Ghulam Nabi Baba said workers often reported for duty at around 10 am and continued working until the following morning.
“We are being treated inhumanely. Our workers report for work at 10 am and are made to work until the following morning, sometimes even after Fajr prayers,” Baba said.
He said preparing Wazwan involved several hours of work, followed by lengthy serving schedules. Teams were generally required to serve lunch from around 1 pm to 6 pm before preparing for dinner, which in many cases began late at night.
The situation was particularly difficult when Wazas were engaged at the bride’s residence, where they had to wait for the groom and his entourage to arrive before the wedding proceedings could be completed, he said.
Baba cited instances in which wedding ceremonies were delayed because grooms arrived late.
He recalled an occasion when a groom arrived at around 1:30 am, by which time the Maulvi invited to solemnise the Nikah had left after waiting for him.
The family subsequently approached a local Imam, who initially expressed reservations about performing the ceremony but later agreed, Baba said.
He said the association had decided to impose the deadline because late arrival at wedding feasts had become increasingly common.
The association also raised concerns about the facilities provided to Wazas and their workers at wedding venues.
Members alleged that workers were sometimes made to rest on torn or poorly maintained bedding despite families spending large sums on other arrangements for wedding functions.
They said adequate sleeping facilities and time for rest were necessary for workers expected to resume food preparation and serving duties the following day.
One chef said workers needed a proper place to recover after spending long hours preparing and serving food.
The association said the 10 pm deadline would apply collectively to Waza service providers across Kashmir and appealed to families to schedule wedding functions so that food service could be completed by that time.
