Himachal Village Takes Bold Stand Against Costly Social Customs
In a remarkable display of community-driven change, Toru village in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district has decided to break free from expensive and burdensome traditions. This Rajput-dominated village of approximately 70 households, with a population nearing 800 people, has chosen voluntary reform over waiting for government legislation.
Collective Decision to Transform Social Practices
On January 11, residents of Toru village in Paonta Sahib tehsil came together to adopt a comprehensive resolution. They collectively agreed to restrict extravagant marriage feasts and abolish obligatory gifts to women. The village also decided to limit loud DJ events to just one day during weddings.
More significantly, the community completely banned liquor use at wedding ceremonies and prohibited its sale within village limits. Animal sacrifice received strict limitations, while mourning rituals underwent reshaping to protect privacy and emotional dignity.
Addressing the Economic Strain of Traditions
Shoorvir Tomar, president of Yuvak Mandal Toru, explained the pressing need for these changes. "In our society, marriage has become a very costly affair now," he told TOI. "Families struggle with expenses of at least Rs 20 lakh as they try to satisfy societal expectations despite limited financial resources."
The resolution, signed by 76 villagers, carries serious weight. "Whoever violates these rules will be boycotted by the village community," the document clearly states. This demonstrates the collective determination to enforce these reforms.
Specific Changes to Wedding Practices
The village implemented several concrete measures:
- Marriage feasts and "paltoz" parties now include only immediate family members, relatives, and key village representatives
- Animal sacrifice during daytime ceremonies has been discontinued
- DJ events are strictly limited to a single day during marriage celebrations
- The 'Dashuthan' ceremony has been redefined to celebrate only the birth of the first child, recognizing sons and daughters equally
Previously, certain weddings in Toru village saw liquor expenses exceeding Rs 2 lakh, with at least five goats sacrificed per ceremony. The new rules aim to eliminate such extravagant spending.
Strong Backing and Implementation Strategy
K S Tomar, former chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission and a national columnist with roots in this nearly 100% literate village, strongly supports the reform. He emphasized the importance of formalizing decisions in a written social charter.
"Conducting periodic reviews during the gram sabha and assigning custodial responsibilities to the youth effectively mitigates implementation risks," Tomar explained. He believes Toru's grassroots reform message holds potential to influence wider social and policy debates beyond local boundaries.
Located 25 kilometers from Paonta Sahib, Toru village has taken a courageous step. The community has confronted customs long shielded by the label of tradition, addressing economic strain, social inequality, and moral dilemmas through collective action and written resolution.
