24-year-old woman marries 74-year-old man for 3 billion rupiah

Love has no age - this proverb has been proven true by 74-year-old Tarman from Pasitan, East Java province, Indonesia. He married 24-year-old Shela Arika for 3 billion rupiah (about 220 million in Bangladeshi taka). The wedding, which took place on October 1, is now the center of discussion in the whole of Indonesia. The age difference of almost 50 years and the huge amount of dowry have made this wedding one of the most talked-about events in the country.

Local media reported that the groom Tarman gave gifts of 100,000 rupiah (about 750 taka) to each guest present at the wedding. This has started a lot of discussion and criticism on social media. While some see this incident as an "unbelievable love story", many suspect it is a "propaganda drama".

As news of the wedding spread, the debate on social media intensified. Many have questioned whether the 3 billion rupiah check is genuine. A relative of the bride wrote on social media, “Shela’s family and neighbors warned her, but she didn’t listen to us. Now she is part of a controversial marriage.” In response to criticism, the groom, Tarman, said that the dowry was completely legitimate and came from Indonesia’s Bank Central Asia (BCA). He added, “I didn’t want to influence anyone, this was a mutually agreed-upon marriage.”

According to local sources, Tarman has previously been convicted in a fraud case. As a result, many are questioning whether the marriage was done with good intentions. It is also unclear whether this is his first marriage. Despite all the controversy surrounding the wedding, the 74-year-old groom and 24-year-old bride are now the most talked about couple on Indonesian social media. Some say it is a “brave example of love,” while others think it is a “planned campaign” designed to garner social attention. This incident has now sparked discussion not only in Indonesia but also internationally—raising new questions in the minds of many about the boundaries of age, money, and love.