A Muslim community panchayat in Rajasthan has banned girls from using cellphones and dancing at social functions like marriage to prevent incidents of rape.
The family of a girl will be not only socially ostracised but also have to pay a hefty penalty of Rs 51,000 if she elopes or marries someone from a different community, the panchayat said on Thursday.
Anjuman Muslim panchayat imposed restrictions on the community members at Salumbar town in Udaipur district.
“We have decided to ban girls from carrying and using cellphones,” said panchayat secretary Habibur Rahman. The decision was taken in view of the misuse of mobile phones by girls, he added. He said a slew of measures have been taken to ensure safety of girls belonging to the community in the area.
The ban on mobile phone is applicable only to unmarried girls, he added.
“The girls won’t be allowed to dance and sing during wedding functions. A couple cannot get married against the wishes of their family.”
He added that punitive action will be taken against those found ignoring the panchayat edicts.