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Marriages
Marriages: A village in Punjab’s Mohali district has ignited controversy after its gram panchayat passed a resolution banning love marriages without family or community consent.
The decision by the gram panchayat of Manakpur Sharif, located just 10 kilometers from Chandigarh, has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and rights advocates.
The resolution, passed unanimously on July 31, prohibits couples who marry without the approval of their families from residing in the village or nearby areas. It also warns of punitive action against any villagers who support or shelter such couples.
“This is not a punishment but a preventive step to protect our traditions and values,” said Dalvir Singh, the village sarpanch.
He explained that the resolution followed 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 the incident has an impact for 2,000 villagers that are living here.
“We are not against love marriages or law, but we are not allowing it here in our Panchayat,” Singh added.
According to the resolution, the entire community shares the responsibility of preventing such unions. The panchayat has also urged neighboring villages to adopt similar measures.
The move has sparked a backlash. Dharamvira Gandhi, Congress MP from Patiala, condemned the resolution, calling 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,” he said.
While the resolution drew outrage from some quarters, local youth and villagers, speaking to India Today on the condition of anonymity, voiced support for the sarpanch.
“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,” said one villager.
Local authorities have so far taken a measured stance over the incident. Sonam Chaudhary, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural), Mohali, said no formal complaint has yet 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), emphasised the rule of 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.
After the resolution was passed, the couple at the center of the controversy released a video on social media confirming that they marriages of their own free will. They also criticised local residents for tarnishing their reputation.
Raj Lalli Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission, called the resolution unconstitutional. “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.
In a move that has stirred both support and controversy, a village in Punjab has enacted a ban on love marriages without the consent of families. According to local sources, the decision impacts over 50 such cases in recent years, with village elders stating that the policy is designed to safeguard cultural traditions, maintain familial harmony, and prevent disputes that have sometimes escalated into prolonged feuds.
The village council, or panchayat, explained that the step was taken after growing concerns over rising conflicts between families when couples chose to marry without informing or seeking approval from their elders. “Our culture values respect for parents and families,” said one council member. “When young people bypass their families entirely, it can lead to deep resentment and even break community bonds. This decision aims to encourage dialogue, not punish love.”
Supporters of the ban argue that it is less about controlling personal freedom and more about protecting the social fabric of the village. They point out that love marriages, while increasingly common in urban centers, can create complications in tightly knit rural communities where families share close relationships and reputations are interlinked. By involving families early in the process, proponents believe that potential misunderstandings can be resolved, and couples can receive support rather than face opposition.
Some residents see the move as a proactive approach to maintaining peace. “We’ve seen situations where families didn’t speak to each other for years because of sudden marriages,” shared a local shopkeeper. “This rule could prevent bitterness and keep everyone united.”
However, the decision has also sparked significant criticism from rights advocates and younger residents, who argue that the ban infringes on individual freedom and personal choice. Critics believe that such measures risk reinforcing outdated norms and limiting the agency of young people, particularly women, who may face additional societal pressure to conform.
Human rights organizations have called for a more balanced approach — one that promotes both cultural respect and the right to choose one’s life partner. Some suggest that mediation and counseling services could bridge the gap between traditional expectations and modern relationships, fostering understanding without imposing outright bans.
The Punjab government has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, but legal experts note that such community-imposed restrictions could face challenges if contested in court. In India, the right to marry a person of one’s choice is protected under constitutional law, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this principle.
Despite the debate, many villagers remain optimistic about the outcome. Several families have already begun hosting joint discussions when a young couple expresses interest in marriage, signaling a possible shift toward dialogue and compromise.
Whether this new rule will strengthen community harmony or deepen generational divides remains to be seen, but it has undeniably reignited the conversation about the delicate balance between tradition and personal freedom in rural India.
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