| A Sikh body in the steel city of Jamshedpur has taken to cultural policing, banning women from the community from dancing the vigorous Punjabi bhangra on the streets during celebrations.
The Central Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (CGPC) of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand said in a statement: "There will be a complete ban on women's participation in bhangra. Those found guilty of violating the directive will have pay Rs.2,100."
The anti-bhangra stricture was one of several. The committee also banned the exchange of floral garlands by the bride and groom at their wedding, saying violations would invite a fine of Rs.1,100.
It also decreed that girls attending weddings would have to be dressed in the traditional Punjabi salwar-kameez ensemble.
The strictures invited sharp criticism from some Sikhs in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi.
"The CGPC should not act like the Taliban. We oppose this move," said Santi Sardar of Ranchi.
But members of the CGPC in Ranchi were not entirely in disagreement with their Jamshedpur counterparts.
"We welcome the move to ban the bhangra (by women) on the streets. But we do not agree with the other bans," said Lakhbir Singh, a member of Ranchi CGPC. | 
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