The panchayat of Jawaharke village in Mansa district, Punjab, has passed a controversial resolution prohibiting villagers from marrying outsiders (migrants) or marrying within the same village. Those who defy the rule face expulsion from the village. The resolution, which was signed and made public on November 30, aims to prevent marriages with migrants and intra-village unions, which the panchayat believes have become a growing trend.
Supporting the decision, some villagers argued that outsiders often form relationships to marry locals and gain village residency, while others expressed concern over intra-village marriages. “This trend of getting married to outsiders and within the village is not appreciated by the villagers,” one villager stated.
In addition to marriage restrictions, the panchayat has decided not to support anyone involved in drug-related activities, stating that no villager will serve as a witness or arrange bail for those accused of drug offenses.
Sukhchain Singh, the husband of the village sarpanch, Ranvir Kaur, defended the resolution, explaining that there has been an influx of migrants in the area, especially around a nearby market. He stated, “The girl is considered the daughter of the village,” and said that the resolution had wide local support, though he felt it had been misrepresented in some reports.
The village has around 3,500 voters, with about 300 migrants now living there. This move comes amid broader tensions in Punjab over migrant-related issues, including the recent panchayat elections, where migrant candidates faced opposition, and other incidents where villagers attempted to restrict migrant presence.
In August, similar restrictions were imposed in other villages in Punjab, including Kaudi and Jandpur, with the latter involving curfews on migrants after 9 pm. These actions have led to tensions and legal interventions, such as the Punjab and Haryana High Court reprimanding the Punjab government over anti-migrant hoardings.
Last year in Haryana, khap panchayats demanded changes to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to ban intra-gotra and intra-village marriages.
