#Rules #Change
A Panchayat Still Happens!
A Panchayat of 52 Places Held in Haryana
Yes, the panchayat still happens.
But for the first time, I liked that it happened — not for a girl, not for a boy, and not because of something terrible. It happened for a good reason.
It was a panchayat involving 52 places — cities, villages, and towns included — where they collectively decided on some very important rules.
Some rules were made regarding dowry, DJs at weddings, and the food served after someone’s death (mrityubhoj).
The rules were very simple:
- No mrityubhoj will take place.
- No dowry will be given by the bride’s family, and no one will demand dowry. And, most importantly, the bride’s family cannot be forced to give dowry to anyone.
- No DJ will be played at weddings, or perhaps a specific time will be decided for it — I’m not completely sure about this particular rule.
Well, there is no official list or written document of these rules, as far as I know. But these decisions have been communicated to families across all 52 places in Haryana.
And when I heard about these rules, I was like —
These are literally some very important rules!
For the first time, I felt that the panchayat had done something right, at least in my eyes.
But then I started wondering:
Will people actually follow these rules?
Because that time has gone when people simply listened to whatever the panchayat decided.
And, most importantly, I don’t think anyone is going to stop the dowry custom that easily.
Dowry is not just a rule written somewhere. It is deeply connected to people’s thinking, expectations, status, and social pressure.
So, making a rule is one thing.
Making people actually follow it is another.
And I’m not curious to see whether these rules will really bring change — because I already know the answer: they will simply remain another set of rules that people talk about but quietly ignore.
Because, as we all know, people are not going to listen to the panchayat in today’s time.
The panchayat and its rules simply don’t hold the same power over people anymore.
But I still really appreciate them.
At least they did something.
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At least they took a step.
And you will be amazed to know that these rules were made on 6th September.
And on 7th September — just one day later — the rules were already broken.
A family arranged a mrityubhoj after a grandmother passed away, and DJs were still being played.
People couldn’t even follow these rules for a few days, and we expect them to follow them for years?
No. I don’t think that’s going to happen.
In my opinion, rules should definitely be made — but they need to come from the government, with proper legal authority.
The government should focus on these social issues, make strict and clear rules, and, most importantly, ensure that those rules are actually being followed.
Because making rules is one thing.
Enforcing them is another.
Real change will come only when there are proper laws, accountability, and consequences for those who break them.
And honestly, I don’t think the upcoming generation is going to stand quietly behind every old custom just because it has been followed for generations.
People are changing.
Things are changing.
And I feel proud when I say that Gen Z is not always willing to stand by what is wrong. And still, there are many people who behave well and stand against wrong.
They know their rights.
They question things.
They know when to speak and, perhaps even more importantly, when not to.
They are not going to accept something simply because someone says, “This is how it has always been done.”
And maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Not disrespect for our traditions.
Not rebellion for the sake of rebellion.
But the courage to ask:
“Is this tradition still right?”
Because if something is harmful, outdated, or unfair, maybe it is time to change it.
I hope these changes will happen one day and lead to a very beautiful life, where everyone will live peacefully. But still, there are good people; not everyone is the same. And I came to know this when I came to this platform and started writing. I met so many wonderful men who don’t think this way, who are just incredible, and they don’t consider a woman less than them. They treat them equally. And they are:-
Manmeet Singh Bhatia, Vinod Bhardwaj, SK Sharma (earlier 8th Wonder), ShubhamAgrawal, Sumedh Pimplikar, Saksham Mundra, Ravinimbus, kamal ck, John Edwin
