Surat: A family court here disposed of an interim plea filed by a 42-year-old man who had objected to his seven-year-old daughter’s diksha (initiation into monkhood).The father had filed a custody petition under the Guardians and Wards Act and, during the hearing, sought a stay on the proposed diksha, stating that it was against his wishes.Advocate Ketan Reshamwala, appearing for the girl’s mother, told TOI: “A compromise agreement was placed before the court today in which both parents agreed to live together. They also agreed that the diksha would not be initiated and that neither of them would pressure anyone on the issue. Both parents further agreed not to repeat the mistakes committed in the past. Based on this submission, the court disposed of the interim plea seeking a stay on diksha.“Advocate Swati Mehta, representing the father, told TOI: “Efforts were made by relatives from both families as well as community leaders to ensure that the couple stays together in the interest of their two children, aged seven and five. These efforts were successful, and the agreement was submitted to the court. Both parents left the court together happily. With this, the issue of diksha no longer remains.”The family court will hear the main custody plea on January 6. As per the agreement, the father will withdraw the guardianship petition at the next hearing to resolve the family dispute, at least for the present.
