Baghpat Khap Bans Smartphones, Half Pants for Kids; Urges Village Weddings

• A khap panchayat in Baghpat, UP, banned children from using smartphones and wearing half pants in public places.
• Boys are advised to wear kurta-pyjamas and girls salwar-kurta, citing social norms and negative impact of half pants.
• Smartphones are deemed to affect studies and make children disobedient; not appropriate for under 18s.
• The panchayat also objected to weddings in marriage halls, advocating for ceremonies in villages and homes to strengthen family ties.
• RLD MP Rajkumar Sangwan and Congress leader Chaudhary Yashpal Singh supported the decisions, emphasizing cultural preservation.

Why It Matters: Baghpat khap panchayat imposes strict social rules on youth and weddings to preserve culture.