jaipur

Updated: Jul 02, 2017 20:23 IST

A village panchayat in Dholpur has said that girls should not wear jeans and “attractive clothes” and avoid using mobile phones as they are “ruining our culture.” The decision will bring a stop to incidents of molestation, the members said.

The Baldiyapura panchayat — under Sepmau sub-division— also initiated a ban on alcohol consumption and have also said in the case of a dispute villagers should not approach the police, but try and solve it through the panchayat. In case, they fail to arrive at a solution at the panchayat, the villagers can then approach the police.

The panchayt also announced that those found consuming alcohol would be fined Rs 1,100 and those who inform the panchayat about the sale and consumption of alcohol would be given Rs 500. Selling of tobacco pouches will be banned at all shops in the village.

According to panchayat members, girls wearing jeans and using mobiles ruin Indian culture. Most girls in villages, nowadays, follow western tradition and wear wearing clothes. Parents of girls were asked to not give them jeans and mobiles and also advised to monitor their daughters’ activities. The panchayat members also clarified that their decisions will be implemented “forcibly” in the village.

“Good decisions were taken by the panchayat to eradicate social evils. Incidents of rape and molestation are on the rise as women wear attractive clothes,” said Kanasil Hariom Singh Parmar, the panchayat sarpanch said.

Members appointed by the panchayat will take action against those who flout the rules. The panchayat will hold a meeting on the first day of every month to discuss developments.

Baldiyapura, which is dominated by the Kushwaha community, has a population of around 2,500. The same initiatives will soon be implemented in other villages under Kansil panchayat.

“Our aim to do away with all bad habits in the village. We have put a ban on girls wearing jeans and attractive clothes for the overall development of the village,” said Dhaniram Kushawaha, a panchayat member.

Block development officer Vinay Singh said that he was not aware of the panchayat’s decisions but will investigate the matter.

Additional district collector of Dholpur Vinod Kumar Meena said that the panchayat’s ban on consumption and sale of alcohol is a good step but the decision to ban girl from wearing jeans and using mobiles is against law. “We have not received any complaint, but will consider legal action against them (panchayat members) after getting a complaint,” said Meena.