Punjab: A recent resolution passed by a village in Punjab’s Mohali district has stirred widespread outrage and legal scrutiny. The village of Manakpur Sharif, located just 10 km from Chandigarh, has banned love marriages without prior approval from families or the local community.

The resolution, passed unanimously on July 31, prohibits such couples from living in the village or its surrounding areas and threatens punitive action against those who support or shelter them.

“This is not a punishment but a preventive step to protect our traditions and values," Dalvir Singh, the village sarpanch, said.

He further said that the resolution was prompted by a recent incident where a 26-year-old man, Davinder, married his 24-year-old niece, Baby.

The couple has since left the village, but the incident, Singh claimed, has left a huge impact on the entire village's 2,000 residents.

“We are not against love marriage or law, but we are not allowing it here in our Panchayat,” he added.

According to the resolution, the entire village community is tasked with preventing such unions. The panchayat has also appealed to neighbouring villages to adopt similar resolutions to preserve traditions.

The move has sparked a fierce backlash from various quarters.

Dharamvira Gandhi, Congress MP from Patiala, condemned the resolution, calling it a “Talibani diktat”.

He further noted that “freedom to choose one’s life partner is a fundamental right of every adult. The state must intervene and protect such couples from obscurantist attitudes.”

However, not everyone in the village shares that sentiment. Some local youth and villagers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed support for the sarpanch’s decision.

“We are with our Sarpanch on this decision, and he is only authorised to speak over it. But we feel we have a legacy and reputation that should be carried.

The world is modern, but we need to save our relations, our culture and our villages,” one villager told India Today.

So far, local authorities have taken a cautious approach. Sonam Chaudhary, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural), Mohali, said that no formal complaint has been lodged.

He further stated that, If the individuals are adults, they are legally free to marry whom they choose. Any future complaints will be addressed in accordance with the law.

While Mohit Aggarwal, Superintendent of Police, Mohali, reinforced the administration’s commitment to legal principles.

“This is not a banana republic. We will uphold the law and constitutional rights. As of now, no official complaint has been received. If it comes, we will act as per the law. No one has the right to take things into their own hands,” he said.

Following the resolution, the couple at the centre of the controversy released a video on social media, affirming that they married of their own free will and criticising locals for damaging their reputation.

Meanwhile, Raj Lalli Gill, Chairperson of the Punjab State Women Commission, also slammed the resolution by stating, “It’s unconstitutional, and a decision by such a Panchayat has no meaning. We will look into this. We haven’t received any complaint against it.”