No woman under 40 can use mobile phone or shop alone in this tiny village in India’s UP state.
Panchayat elders (or village council) of Asara village in Uttar Pradesh state have imposed restrictions on women under the age of 40. This includes love marriages, and covering their head when outside.
Those who decide to marry for love, and against the wishes of their family, will not be allowed to live in the village.
Elders say that this has been done to protect the women as many are harassed or eve-teased when out shopping in the markets, according to reports in Press Trust of India or PTI.
Village council order was issued at a meeting on Wednesday. However BBC reports that the police is now investigating.
The village, under Baghpat district is in Ramala area, which is about 40km (25 miles) from the Indian capital, Delhi.
