Ratlam village meeting calls for social boycott over love marriages:Resolution adopted at Panchewa panchayat, families named in videos; administration begins inquiry after footage surfaces

Families of couples who enter into love marriages in Panchewa village of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh will face social boycott, according to a decision taken at a village meeting earlier this week. The resolution, adopted by village elders and residents, also extends punitive measures to those who support such couples. Videos of the meeting, held in Panchewa village under Piploda tehsil, surfaced on social media over the weekend, prompting the local administration to step in and seek an explanation. Decision taken at village meeting The decision was reportedly taken around three days ago at a meeting attended by the sarpanch and a large number of villagers. In the videos, a villager is seen holding a register and reading out the restrictions that would apply to families of boys and girls who elope or marry by choice. According to the resolution, no milk or essential goods would be supplied to such families. Priests, barbers and other service providers would not attend their households or participate in their social functions. Those who extend support or provide employment to these families would also face social restrictions. The videos also name families whose children have already entered into love marriages, triggering anger and resentment among those identified. Details of the proposed boycott As outlined during the meeting, the measures include: Villagers said the decision was taken collectively after discussions among residents. Officials visit village after videos emerge Following the circulation of the videos, Jawra Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sunil Jaiswal directed Piploda Janpad Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Brahm Swaroop Hans to visit the village. Mr. Hans reached Panchewa on Sunday evening and spoke to villagers, with the sarpanch present during the interaction. Officials informed residents that action could be taken on the basis of the video evidence. However, no formal order or immediate punitive action was announced. Villagers defend decision, critics call it unconstitutional After facing criticism, villagers said the resolution was intended to discourage others from following what they described as a growing trend. They claimed that over the past five to six months, seven to eight boys and girls from the village had eloped and married, which they said was influencing other children. Several residents and observers have termed the decision unconstitutional, arguing that social boycott violates fundamental rights and personal freedoms. Those named in the videos have reportedly expressed anger and are considering approaching the Ratlam Collector to lodge a formal complaint against the decision. Officials unavailable for comment Repeated attempts to contact Jawra SDM Sunil Jaiswal for a response were unsuccessful. Piploda Janpad CEO Brahm Swaroop Hans also did not respond to calls seeking clarification on the administrative action proposed in the matter.