In a move aimed at curbing what it sees as deteriorating discipline among the younger generation, a prominent khap panchayat in Uttar Pradesh has issued a strict set of directives for children and teenagers. The Baliyan khap, with influence across several districts in western UP, has formally prohibited the use of smartphones and wearing of half-pants for minors.
The Khap's Decree: A List of Don'ts for the Young
The decision was taken during a mahapanchayat, or large council meeting, held in Soram village of Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district. The gathering was convened under the leadership of Naresh Tikait, the head of the Baliyan khap. The khap leaders expressed deep concern over the negative influence of modern gadgets and changing social norms on youth behavior and academic performance.
The new rules are unequivocal. Children are completely barred from using smartphones. The panchayat believes excessive screen time is leading to distraction, poor academic results, and exposure to unsuitable content. Alongside the digital ban, the khap has also taken issue with fashion, prohibiting boys from wearing half-pants, which it associates with a casual and undisciplined attitude.
Enforcement and Penalties
The khap has not stopped at merely announcing prohibitions. It has established a framework for enforcement to ensure compliance. Parents have been made directly responsible for ensuring their children adhere to these rules. To monitor the situation, the khap will form village-level committees.
These committees are empowered to impose penalties on families that fail to follow the directives. The specified fine for violations is set at Rs 2,100. Furthermore, the khap has instituted a 9 PM curfew for children, mandating that they must be indoors by this time. The overall message to parents is to exercise stricter control and vigilance over their children's activities and associations.
Rationale and Community Response
Leaders of the Baliyan khap have defended the rules as necessary corrective measures. They argue that the rampant use of smartphones is causing children to neglect their studies and traditional values. The focus, they emphasize, should be on education and cultivating disciplined habits. The ban on half-pants is framed as a push towards maintaining a "presentable" and serious demeanor among young boys.
The announcement has sparked a mixed reaction within the community and beyond. Some parents and community elders have welcomed the move, agreeing that external influences need to be checked. They see the khap's intervention as supportive of parental authority in an increasingly complex digital age.
However, the decision has also drawn criticism and raised eyebrows. Critics question the jurisdiction of a khap panchayat in dictating personal lifestyle choices and attire. Child rights advocates often argue that such blanket bans are authoritarian and fail to address the root causes of behavioral issues through dialogue and modern parenting techniques.
The Baliyan khap's influence extends beyond Baghpat to other parts of western UP, meaning these rules could have a wide-reaching impact. It remains to be seen how strictly they will be implemented on the ground and whether they will set a precedent for other similar community bodies in the region.
