Punjab Assembly proposes ban on wedding dance gatherings

LAHORE: A resolution banning dance and music gatherings in weddings was presented in the Punjab Assembly.

During the debate, Member Provincial Assembly Uzma Kardar opposed the resolution and said that do not limit our small moments of happiness. Questioning the experience of the proposer regarding marriages, he said, “We oppose restrictions on celebrating the marriages of our children as per the cultural traditions of Punjab.”

Speaker Punjab Assembly remarked that ‘if a DPO calls Mehek Malik, it is considered art and culture, but if a poor person does it, it is labeled obscenity’.

Samiullah Khan suggested that society should resolve social problems by pointing out the lack of social pressure groups in Pakistan and suggested that the resolution should be reframed according to social and cultural traditions.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan referred the resolution to the committee for amendments regarding dancing and ill-treatment of female dancers and transgenders in marriage ceremonies.

The resolution moved by government member Hamida Mian said that festivals and family gatherings such as weddings reflect the cultural and religious values ​​of the society. It stated that live streaming of music and dance events at weddings in Punjab has become common, often including obscene performances in the guise of dance, in which intoxicated participants engage in highly immoral and inhuman behaviour. I get involved.

The resolution highlighted incidents of abuse and humiliation of female dancers and transsexuals, with reports of injuries or even death of transsexuals, which is a clear violation of human rights and against our religious and cultural values. It is contradictory.

The Provincial Assembly urges the federal and provincial governments to immediately and strictly ban such obscene gatherings in marriage ceremonies and enact appropriate legislation to prevent these incidents.

He called for the amendment of Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code to increase fines and prison terms, as well as stricter legal action against those who abuse female dancers and transgender persons.

In order to prevent such heinous incidents, the resolution demanded the law enforcement agencies and related institutions to take immediate notice of these incidents and take disciplinary action.