<p>A panchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Jat-dominated Baghpat district, about 450 kilometres from here, has banned love marriages and issued a strict code of conduct for both boys and girls warning them of stern action they violate the diktat.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The panchayat which was reportedly held at Asara village on Saturday ruled that those marrying against the wishes of their families would not be allowed to live in the village. “Love marriages will not be accepted...such couples will be thrown out of the villages,” the panchayat, attended by members of as many as 36 communities, including Hindus and Muslims, said.<br /><br />“Love marriage not only affects the prestige of the families but also bring bad name for the villages,” said one man who attended the meet.<br /><br />It also banned use of ear phones by youth of the village while they walk in the lanes of the villages. “The youths will be taken to task if they are found to be using ear phones,” he said.<br /><br />The girls would have to cover their heads when they venture out of their homes and women who were under 40 would not be allowed to visit the village markets.<br /><br />One decision of the panchayat that could be appreciated was about the dowry system. The panchayat said that those taking or giving dowry would also be boycotted socially.<br /><br />Meanwhile, district police officials said that they were not aware of any such meeting but added that they would look into the reports. “We will take action if such a meeting has taken place and such decisions have been taken,” police said.<br /><br />Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh are infamous for their insensitive and at times bizarre diktats. In the past, they even pronounced death penalty for lovers and even let off rape accused by imposing fines.</p>
<p>A panchayat in Uttar Pradesh’s Jat-dominated Baghpat district, about 450 kilometres from here, has banned love marriages and issued a strict code of conduct for both boys and girls warning them of stern action they violate the diktat.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The panchayat which was reportedly held at Asara village on Saturday ruled that those marrying against the wishes of their families would not be allowed to live in the village. “Love marriages will not be accepted...such couples will be thrown out of the villages,” the panchayat, attended by members of as many as 36 communities, including Hindus and Muslims, said.<br /><br />“Love marriage not only affects the prestige of the families but also bring bad name for the villages,” said one man who attended the meet.<br /><br />It also banned use of ear phones by youth of the village while they walk in the lanes of the villages. “The youths will be taken to task if they are found to be using ear phones,” he said.<br /><br />The girls would have to cover their heads when they venture out of their homes and women who were under 40 would not be allowed to visit the village markets.<br /><br />One decision of the panchayat that could be appreciated was about the dowry system. The panchayat said that those taking or giving dowry would also be boycotted socially.<br /><br />Meanwhile, district police officials said that they were not aware of any such meeting but added that they would look into the reports. “We will take action if such a meeting has taken place and such decisions have been taken,” police said.<br /><br />Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh are infamous for their insensitive and at times bizarre diktats. In the past, they even pronounced death penalty for lovers and even let off rape accused by imposing fines.</p>