Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) On his first official visit to India as prime minister of Nepal, Baburam Bhattarai Thursday became emotive as he recalled his marriage 30 years ago with long-time comrade Hisila Yami.

Addressing a reception organised in his honour by those he described as “my former student friends, comrades and gurus”, Bhattarai said Hisila and he did not believe in rituals.

“So we decided to go to the Tis Hazari court for a quick registered marriage,” he said, “But the lawyer told us that the process would take a month at least.”

Bhattarai was in a hurry to return to Nepal to plunge into the Maoist offensive that would ultimately oust the monarchy, throwing him up as one of its key leaders.

The lawyer suggested that if Bhattarai and Hisila got married according to Arya Samaj rites in the presence of a prominent person, that would get immediate legal registration.

Bhattarai said he then turned for help to Arya Samaj leader and activist Swami Agnivesh, with whom he shared many political values.

Agnivesh then told the audience how he quickly set up a ‘havan’ ceremony.

He recalled how he had forgotten the details of the marriage rituals and had to quickly read up old texts.

“We lit a small fire,” he said. “I told Bhattarai and Hisila that fire was the important thing… The two had fire in them to bring about a revolution in Nepal.”

To prolonged applause, Bhattarai said he was happy he got married that day. “That was about 30 years ago. And our marriage has stood the test of time.”