Punjab village passes resolution banning love marriages without family approval, sparks row

The decision has since provoked a fierce backlash from political leaders and rights groups.

A village in Punjab’s Mohali district drew sharp criticism after its gram panchayat passed a resolution barring love marriages without the approval of family or community members.

The decision was made unanimously on July 31 by the gram panchayat of Manakpur Sharif, a village located just 10 kilometres from Chandigarh. According to the resolution, couples who marry without parental or community consent would not be permitted to reside in the village or surrounding areas. It further warned that punitive action would be taken against any villagers who support or provide shelter to such couples.

“This is not a punishment but a preventive step to protect our traditions and values,” said Dalvir Singh, the village sarpanch.

Singh explained that the move was prompted by a recent incident in which a 26-year-old man, Davinder, married his 24-year-old niece, Baby. The couple has since left the village, but Singh claimed the episode had deeply affected the local population. “The incident has an impact for 2,000 villagers that are living here,” he said.

Despite the resolution’s hard line, Singh insisted the village was not against love marriages or the law. “We are not against love marriage or law, but we are not allowing it here in our Panchayat,” he said.

The resolution also declared that the entire community shared the responsibility of preventing such unions and called on neighbouring villages to adopt similar measures in defence of cultural norms.

The decision has since provoked a fierce backlash from political leaders and rights groups. Dharamvira Gandhi, Congress MP from Patiala, denounced the resolution, labelling it a “Talibani diktat.”

“Freedom to choose one’s life partner is a fundamental right of every adult. The state must intervene and protect such couples from obscurantist attitudes,” Gandhi said.

However, some villagers appeared to support the panchayat’s stance. Speaking to India Today on the condition of anonymity, a local resident said, “We are with our Sarpanch on this decision and he is only authorised to speak over it. But we feel we have a legacy and reputation that should be carried. World is modern but we need to save our relations, our culture and our villages.”

Local authorities, meanwhile, adopted a cautious approach. Sonam Chaudhary, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural), Mohali, stated that no formal complaint had been filed. “If the individuals are adults, they are legally free to marry whom they choose. Any future complaints will be addressed in accordance with the law,” she said.

Mohit Aggarwal, Superintendent of Police, Mohali, also emphasised the supremacy of constitutional law. “This is not a banana republic. We will uphold the law and constitutional rights. As of now, no official complaint has been received. If it comes, we will act as per the law. No one has the right to take things into their own hands,” he told India Today.

Raj Lalli Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission, also condemned the resolution. “It’s unconstitutional and decision by such Panchayat has no meaning. We will look into this. We haven’t received any complaint against it,” she said.