In a bizarre move, the Thakor community in 12 villages of Dantewada taluka in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district have issued a diktat banning unmarried women from using mobile phones and a resolution banning inter-cast marriages. The diktat was passed “unanimously” on July 14 by the elderly members of the community.
The community held a meeting on Sunday in Jalol village where some decisions were taken which the village people termed their “constitution.” According to new rules, unmarried girls will not be given mobile phones and if any girl violates society’s norms, it would be considered as a crime. As a punishment, Rs 1.50 lakh will be collected from the girl’s father.
“On Sunday, our community met and it was decided extra expenses in marriages like arrangement of DJ and firecrackers should be stopped. We can save money from this. We have not implemented what we had discussed on mobile and punishment. After ten days, a meeting will be called to discuss not giving mobile phones to unmarried girls,” said Jayantibhai Thakor, Zila Panchayat member.
Also read: Gujarat mass copying: 959 students make same mistakes in same attempted questions
The community further went on to announce heavy fines for the parents of men and women who marry outside the community, though, to avoid legal wrangles, was worded carefully so as not to specify inter-community marriages.
“Whichever girl puts the community down, her responsibility will lie with the family and the parents will be liable to pay fines according to the Constitution.”
Reacting to the move, Congress MLA Ganiben Thakor said she saw nothing wrong in the move to ban mobile phones for girls. Ganiben hold the belief that girls should stay away from the technology and spend more time studying.
