CHANDIGARH: Aiming to discourage the practice of female foeticide in the region, the Bura Khap Panchayat in Jind on Monday decided on a policy that couples should not have a third child after the birth of two daughters, and that henceforth during marriages, the groom’s family should only take Re 1 as dowry, one of the key reasons for families preferring boys over girl children.
Bura Khap head Rajbir Bura said that the members of the panchayat called a meeting and decided to felicitate couples that follow these prescribed rules and do not have a third child after the birth of two daughters, and those who accepted n dowry or only Re 1 as dowry from the bride’s family.
The Khap has also put a limit on the number of members that can be part of the bridegroom’s wedding procession, at 21.
“The decision was much needed, as too many people constituting a ‘baraat’ puts unnecessary financial burden on the bride’s family,” the khap head said.
A decision was also taken during the meeting to shorten the mourning period after a family member’s death from 13 to 7 days, said Bura. “It was also decided to end the old practice of not consuming wheat flour, pulses and ghee (clarified butter) during the mourning period,” he said.
Felicitating sportsmen, social activists and writers was also proposed during the meeting of the Khap members. These announcements come as a breath of fresh air, as khaps are infamous for issuing orthodox diktats.