Madhya Pradesh Village Decrees 'Social Boycott' Of Families Who Allow Children To Marry For Love

Residents of a village in Madhya Pradesh have declared a social boycott of families, who allow love marriages for their children.

This move, however, prompted action from the district administration that called it an “unofficial” decision by the residents of Panchewa village in Ratlam. 

According to reports, local residents of Panchewa collectively issued a punitive social mandate targeting families of couples who choose to marry for love. This would impose a strict social boycott of these families, stripping them of their right to social participation, employment as labourers, and access to essential goods such as milk.

Watch the video here:

A panchayat in Madhya Pradesh village has announced social boycott of families which allow their children

to marry by choice. pic.twitter.com/UGXHbtNWrN

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 26, 2026

The village residents reportedly initiated these harsh measures following a recent increase in elopements, with residents claiming that eight couples have eloped and married in the last six months.

The diktat, which was captured in a video that has since gone viral on social media, states that the penalties are not limited to the couples alone; the boycott extends to their families and even those who provide any form of assistance to the pairs. The viral footage showed a man publicly announcing that young men and women who marry for love will be socially boycotted and barred from being invited to any local events. It explicitly prohibits the community from providing these families with daily necessities or offering them work as daily wagers.

Government officials have since intervened to maintain public order, saying this discriminatory policy was not an official administrative act but a rogue decision made by the village residents. Collector Misha Singh said on Monday that the individuals in the video have been identified and that the police have been directed to take appropriate action.

“Our probe has revealed the decision against love marriages was taken not by the Gram Sabha, but by the villagers themselves,” Singh said.

The police and local administration are currently identifying the organisers to ensure legal accountability. Additional superintendent of police (rural) Vivek Kumar Lal said the identified persons are being “bound over”, a legal procedure making it binding for them to maintain good conduct and ensure they do not disturb the peace. Officials have noted that further action will be taken following a detailed investigation into the matter.

(With PTI inputs)