Proposal to ban wedding dance gatherings presented in Punjab Assembly

A resolution was presented in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday seeking a ban on dance and musical performances at weddings.

Member of the Punjab Assembly Uzma Kardar argued, “Don’t restrict our small moments of joy,” in opposition to a motion that would have prohibited dance and musical performances at weddings.

She defended cultural customs and challenged the proposer’s conception of marriage.

Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said, “If a DPO calls in Mahak Malik, it’s considered art, but if a poor person does it, it’s labeled as obscenity,” in reference to the disparity in treatment of performances.

The necessity for society to address social issues was highlighted by Samiullah Khan, who proposed revising the resolution to better conform to social and cultural norms.

According to the resolution, which was sponsored by Hameeda Mian, live-streaming and music at weddings frequently result in “pornographic displays and immoral behavior,” even if festivals represent cultural values.

Additionally, it focused on reports of severe injury and human rights breaches related to the mistreatment of transgender people and female dancers.

The assembly asked for changes to the Pakistan Penal Code to enforce sanctions and safeguard marginalized communities, and urged governments to impose a severe ban on such gatherings. Law enforcement was asked to address these offenses right away.