Arguing that mobile phones caused distraction in studies, a village in Mehsana district of Gujarat has banned minor girls from using or owning the gadgets.
Acoording to a PTI report, the ban was implemented by the panchayat of Suraj village in Kadi taluka of Mehsana recently.
Those refusing to conform with the Panchayat diktat will be slapped a fine of Rs 2100.
The girls can use mobile phones inside their house as ling as their parents are around.
The village sarpanch Devshi Vankar said that the decision was unanimous because majority of villagers agreed that mobile phones were creating problems for girls and their parents.
The village panchayat also held mobile phones responsible for increasing number of lovestruck youngsters eloping from homes.
“All the villagers have agreed to ban mobile phones for school girls who are under 18 years. Members of all the communities, be it Dalit, Patel, Thakor or Rabari, have agreed on it. We have imposed a fine of Rs 2100 on those who violate this rule,” Vankar was quoted by PTI.
“Girls are allowed to use mobile phone of their parents inside their house and under their supervision. But they cannot move around in the village carrying mobiles,” said Vankar.
Venkar said that the ban didn’t apply to ‘matured girls’ going to college.
He said, “College girls are mature enough to differentiate between good and bad. Further, they also need mobile phone to stay connected with their parents as colleges are located in nearby cities not in our village.
“Everyone knows what happens in today’s world due to mobile phones. This is Kalyug. This is an era of Whatsapp, where people secretly talk with each other. We have to save girls from those who acquire their number and harass them or try to lure these innocent girls,” Vankar said.