In the wake of outrage over the dowry-related murder of a woman in Greater Noida, a mahapanchayat in Baghpat has urged families to gift their daughters pistols, daggers and swords at the time of kanyadaan, instead of the conventional dowry of gold, silver or cash. A video of the gathering surfaced on Tuesday, prompting the police to launch an inquiry into the event.

Mahapanchayat’s radical call

The Kesariya mahapanchayat was organised on Sunday at Gauripur Mitli village in Baghpat and was attended largely by members of the Rajput community. The leaders present claimed that traditional gifts offered at marriages do little to protect women from exploitation and threats faced after marriage.

Speaking at the gathering, Thakur Kunwar Ajay Pratap Singh, president of the All India Kshatriya Mahasabha, declared that gifting jewellery or cash was outdated and unsafe. “We usually give gold to our daughters during ‘kanyadaan’, which is of no use to them. They wear jewellery going to the market and elsewhere, and thieves loot it or they risk facing other crimes. Instead, give them a dagger, pistol or sword to prevent them from any criminal activity,” he said. Singh added that given the changing social environment, equipping daughters with weapons was necessary for self-defence, even if it was not a complete solution to the risks they face.

The remarks received loud approval from sections of the attendees, many of whom chanted in support of rejecting dowry. Footage of the event spread quickly across social media, turning the discussion into a statewide controversy.

Police inquiry and public reaction

As the video gained attention, district authorities confirmed that a probe had been initiated into the contents and legality of the gathering’s appeal. While carrying licensed firearms is legal, encouraging large-scale arming of citizens through public calls is being scrutinised.

The unusual demand evoked sharp reactions across social and legal circles. Women’s rights activists welcomed the rejection of dowry but warned that the suggestion of gifting weapons carried social risks. “Weapons may give a sense of security, but they do not reduce the root causes of harassment. True empowerment comes through education, financial independence and community support,” activist Ritu Sharma said.

Lawyers also underlined that firearm licences are difficult to obtain and limited in number, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. Calls to gift pistols could therefore remain more symbolic than practical. At the same time, some locals expressed agreement that dramatic slogans were needed to highlight frustration with the persistence of dowry violence despite strict laws.

Dowry deaths and ongoing challenge

The Greater Noida case, which triggered the mahapanchayat, is part of a grim pattern. Uttar Pradesh has consistently recorded some of the highest numbers of dowry-related deaths in the country. Despite the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 and strict criminal provisions under the Indian Penal Code, thousands of women still face harassment in their marital homes every year.

Police officials have said that awareness programmes, speedy trials and stricter monitoring of dowry demands remain more effective long-term measures than weapons. Nevertheless, the force admitted that dowry deaths often spark community anger, leading to dramatic public proposals like the latest call from Baghpat.

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