2 Faridkot panchayats pass resolution against intra-village marriages
Two villages in Punjab’s Faridkot district have decided to ban intra-village marriages because these “not only disrupt social harmony but also trigger violent disputes, family feuds and even murders in rural parts".
The unusual decision has been taken by the panchayats of Sirsari and Anokhpura villages in the Kotkapura area led by sarpanches Gian Kaur and Baljit Singh, respectively. A joint resolution has been passed by the two panchayats in this regard.
The panches and sarpanches of both villages have unanimously signed the resolution, which calls upon the Punjab Government to enact a law through the Vidhan Sabha prohibiting such marriages.
“In recent years, several incidents involving intra-village marriages or affairs have led to public altercations, family breakdowns and in some cases even killings,” said Gian Kaur. “While we continue our fight against drug abuse, this issue has also emerged as a serious threat to the peace and social fabric of our villages.”
The resolution also expresses concern over incidents involving married women eloping, claiming such events had led to increased violence and lawlessness. The village leaders argued that banning intra-village marriages would help preserve traditional kinship boundaries and reinforce community discipline.
The panchayats have urged the state government to intervene immediately, suggesting that a state-wide law was essential to curb what they described as a “growing social malaise”. “If the government passes a clear and enforceable law against such marriages, it will help reduce crime and promote social stability in rural Punjab,” the resolution read.
In addition, the panchayats resolved that only those persons who had valid Aadhaar or ration cards of the respective village would be allowed to stay there. The move, they said, was aimed at preventing outsiders from settling without proper documentation.
On the decision’s legality, Kotkapura DSP Jatinder Singh said he was yet to receive a copy of the resolution. However, a senior police officer in Faridkot admitted that disputes arising out of same-village marriages had become increasingly common. “On an average, the police receive more than 30 such complaints annually in the district, often involving allegations of elopement, rape or similar crimes,” he said.
India