UP Panchayat Bans Half Pants, Smartphones for Kids; Cites 'Indecent Display'

• A khap panchayat in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, banned boys and girls from wearing half pants/shorts in public.
• The panchayat also discouraged smartphone use among minors, citing 'Western influence' and 'indecent display'.
• Traditional attire like kurta-pyjamas for boys and salwar-kurtas for girls was advised.
• A panchayat member linked half pants to RSS and made a political remark, sparking controversy.
• The decision drew strong online criticism, questioning the ban's rationale and lack of women's consultation.

Why It Matters: Baghpat khap panchayat's ban on half pants and smartphones for children sparks widespread debate.