Balod, Chhattisgarh (Gurpreet Singh) – In a move aimed at curbing a perceived rise in relationship break-ups, the Sen community in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district has officially prohibited engaged couples from speaking to each other privately over the phone. The community, which represents approximately 250,000 people across the state, claims that excessive communication before marriage often leads to misunderstandings and dissolved engagements.
The decision was formalized during a district-level meeting, where community leaders argued that pre-marital private chats were the primary cause of modern relationship friction.
New Rules for “Traditional Harmony”
Under the new regulations, any necessary communication between the bride and groom-to-be must occur in the presence of their parents. In addition to the phone ban, the community has introduced several other strict cultural changes:
- Ban on Pre-Wedding Shoots: Following the lead of other regional groups like the Sahu Samaj, the Sen community has labeled pre-wedding photography as “extravagant” and “against traditional values.”
- Abolishing ‘Joota Chupai’: The long-standing tradition where sisters-in-law hide the groom’s shoes has been banned to prevent potential conflicts between the two families during wedding ceremonies.
- Strict Social Ties: The community announced it would sever ties with any member who converts to another faith.
Divided Opinions
The decree has sparked a generational debate within the community. While some local residents, like 20-year-old Sakshi, support the move for “preserving family and society,” others have raised concerns about individual autonomy.
Poonam Ritu Sen, a journalist and community member, is leading the call for a reconsideration. “This is a matter of personal freedom,” she stated. “If you are to spend your entire life with someone, understanding them before marriage is essential. Breaking an engagement due to incompatibility is far better than a divorce later.”
Despite the pushback, state-level community officials indicated that these rules, currently active in Balod, may soon be implemented across the entire state of Chhattisgarh.
