Daijiworld Media Network - Banaskantha (SHP)

Banaskantha, Jul 18: The Thakor community in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has issued an order banning cellphones for unmarried women and fine the parents of youngsters opting for inter-caste marriages.

On July 14 a unanimous decision regarding the matter was taken by the elders from 12 villages in the district's Dantiwada taluka.

Congress MLA Geniben Thakor said she saw nothing wrong in the order issued.

According to the order issued at the meeting, "Unmarried women should not be given mobile phones. If they are caught with mobile phones, their parents will be held responsible." The decision is taken so as to help college-going ladies 'focus more on studies rather than waste time on mobile phones', one of the community leaders said. The rule is valid for all those college going women in the community. It was considered to be a wise decision because youngsters squander away their time in making nonsensical videos.

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"The community will offer tablets and laptops so that they can study better," Suresh Thakor, one of the community leaders from Dantiwada, said.

Further, the elders also warned the parents who allow their children to have inter-caste marriages, such parents would be slapped a fine of Rs 2 lac. Apart from this, other decisions taken were, reducing redundant expenditure on weddings whereby a DJ is hired, firecrackers are burst and an elaborate procession is carried out.

"The money saved from the ceremonies will be used for educational needs of the community members," Suresh Thakor said. The elders cautioned the people with legal action if they are found violating any of the rules.

The community leaders were supported by Geniben Thakor, MLA from Vav Taluka in Banaskantha district. MLA Alpesh Thakor said, "Some decisions are welcome. The decision to curtail unnecessary expenditure on marriage, DJ, is good. As far as using of mobile phone is concerned, I would say this should be gender-neutral.”