With the intention to check alcoholism and DJs in marriages, which often leads to squabbles and fatal accidents, a village panchayat in Haryana has banned use of liquor and loud music in all marriage ceremonies taking place within the panchayat.
Padha village panchayat in Karnal district has decided to start this new precedent. In order to discourage people from following the practice of serving liquor and playing loud music, the panchyat has imposed a fine of `11,000 for any violator. The purpose behind this new social norm is to change old mindsets and create a drug-free atmosphere for youngsters. According to village sarpanch Ravinder, “There is no intention to encroach upon anybody’s space, but the purpose of the ban is to bring about healthy social practices. Many times, it has been found that youngsters after having drinks dance to loud and vulgar music and then pick up fights, we intend to stop all that at least in our panchayat.” At times, people have lost their lives during the brawls that take place in the marriages after consuming drinks, we don’t want such incidents to happen in our village, he says.
The villagers here opine that serving of liquor encourage youngsters to take to drugs. The ban, in their opinion, would encourage young people to stay away from drugs. “Our area is famous for producing sportsperson. We are known for our milk and ghee. There is no place for alcohol,” feels another villager Parminder. The youngsters should burn their energies in sports rather then dancing to the blaring music and then behave like rowdies, he says.