Haryana Sikh body bans celebratory fire, DJs in weddings

Rohtak, Haryana: A social reform forum of Sikhs in Haryana has launched a campaign to curb lavish spending on wedding ceremonies by announcing a ban on use of firearms, DJs and even wearing of lehngas by brides in the state. The campaign initially covers five districts of Haryana, which have significant Sikh population, and would then be enforced in the entire state.

Samaj Sudhar Lahar, a social body formed by the ad hoc president of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Jagdev Singh Jhinda, would carry out this campaign first in Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat and Jind districts. Committees of youth and women have been formed in these districts to impose total ban on use of firearms to celebrate the wedding festivities.

Talking to TOI, Jhinda said he formed the social reform body keeping in view the rising trend of spending hugely on weddings among Sikhs. “There are lots of people who are against such extravagance and want to work to make others aware of this. We have called for ban on use of weapons to fire shots in the air, playing DJs and orchestra in marriages. There have been many instances of fights among guests while dancing during marriages not only among Sikhs but in other communities also. Firing gunshots in the air have caused many deaths and injured others across the state. It’s time to do away with these evils,” he said.

Jhinda stated that wearing lehnga by brides during wedding ceremonies is not a Sikh tradition so they have formed a women’s group, which would pitch for wearing of salwar kameez instead.

The Sikh leader, however, stated that at present they had not introduced any penalties on violation of these instructions as they want the people to voluntarily adhere to it. “We are in the process of forming 21-member committees of youths and women in each village in five districts, which would make aware people about the ban. We want participation of more and more people to make it effective and successful,” he said. Jhinda added that imposition of fines and social punishment would also be introduced at a later stage against those who violate the reform body’s orders.

Another Sikh leader Karnail Singh informed that they held a meeting at the gurdwara in village Malikpur in district Jind on Sunday to announce the formation of Samaj Sudhar Lahar. The next meeting has been scheduled at Nissing town of Karnal on May 31 where the office bearers will be nominated to intensify the activities of the reform body.

Jhinda said these restrictions are being effectively implemented in his native village Rastak Jhinda in district Karnal and hope to replicate the success in the entire state. “After this campaign, the Lahar would embark on another campaign to spread awareness against dowry and female foeticide in Haryana. We have decided to progress in a steady and gradual way to ensure complete success as previous two-three efforts have failed to take off,” he maintained.

Source: TOI