MP: Villagers declare social boycott over love marriages; authorities step in
Ratlam (PTI): Residents of a village in Madhya Pradesh's Ratlam district have announced a social boycott of couples who elope for marriage, prompting authorities to order action against those who issued the diktat.
A video related to the issue has gone viral on social media.
The diktat was issued on January 23 in Pancheva, about 50 kilometres from the district headquarters, with residents claiming the social boycott decision was taken after eight couples from the village eloped and got married in the past six months.
A video showed a man announcing that young men and women who elope and marry for love, as well as their families, will be socially boycotted and not invited to any event. Even those helping such persons will face the same action, he further stated.
Other actions, as declared by the man in the clip, included denying employment to such couples as well as daily necessities like milk.
Collector Misha Singh on Monday said people in the video have been identified and the police have been asked to take action against them.
"Our probe has indicated that the decision against love marriages was taken not by the Gram Sabha, but by the villagers themselves," she added.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Vivek Kumar Lal said these people are being "bound over" (making it legally binding on a person to maintain good conduct and not disturb peace).
Further action will be taken after a detailed investigation, he added.
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Navy ensures security of Indian commercial ships, oil tankers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Pointing out that 95 per cent of the country’s trade, including energy supplies, is conducted through sea, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday noted the Indian Navy's indispensable role in securing commercial shipping lanes and oil tankers against emerging maritime threats.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Taragiri here, the Defence Minister said the Indian Navy continuously maintains its presence in the Indian Ocean--whether it is the Persian Gulf or the Malacca Strait.
Singh’s comments assume significance following the disruption of oil supplies and blockage of oil tankers in view of the prevailing situation in West Asia.
According to him, a strong and capable navy is not an option for the country, but a necessity.
“There are many sensitive points in the sea where our Navy has continuously made its active presence to ensure the smooth supply of goods. Whenever there is a situation of tension there, the Indian Navy has ensured the security of our commercial ships and oil tankers,” he said.
The Indian Navy has proven that it is not only capable of protecting the interests of the country, but if necessary, can also take every step to ensure the safety of its citizens and trade routes around the world, he added.
Citing history, he said without strengthening the naval power, no country can be considered powerful in the right sense and therefore, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about Viksit Bharat by 2047, the basis of marine power becomes very important.
