Haryana embraces ‘no toilet no bride’ resolution

A campaign is underway in parts of Haryana asking villagers not to marry their daughters in houses sans toilets.

The movement of sorts on Friday found the patronage of the state government with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar coming out in support of the idea of not marrying daughters in houses which do not have toilets. Posters saying ‘no toilet no bride’ are coming up in villages.

A few days ago, Godikan, a village in Haryana’s Sirsa, passed a resolution deciding against marrying daughters in houses devoid of toilets. Almost all houses in Godikan have toilets and natives of village felt that this move could help maintain the dignity and self-respect of daughters of the village. “This is the least we can do”, village Sarpanch Dharampal said. The village already has the tag of open defecation free (ODF) village.

On Friday, Khattar acknowledged the initiative by the village while applauding the recent resolution. Khattar said this was a unique decision and will be supported by the entire community. “Other villages should follow suit,” the CM tweeted.

Before the resolution was brought up for consideration, villagers say, the inspiration apparently came from Akshay Kumar starrer Bollywood flick -Toilet-Ek Prem Katha’.

The village headmen say the resolution will also ensure safety and hygiene of the daughters in the house they go after marriage. Village women are overwhelmed by the decision. Sources said, many in the village now intend to separately undertake a campaign in near villages to urge them to adopt a similar resolution of ‘no toilet no bride’.