Prologue (Social Practices Act 2033)

Social Practices Act 2033 was enacted in Karthik 2033 B.S. to make reforms in the Social Practices of Nepal and penalize malpractices in Nepali Society. The Act was ratified by King Birendra Bikram Shah with the recommendation of the National Panchayat. The Act consists of 21 Sections.

The Preamble of the Act has provided that the objectives of the Act were to restrict existing as well as growing competition in Ceremonial Expenditure and worthless expenses in Social Practices of Nepal.

Attributes and Features

Social Practices in Nepal

According to Section 2(a) of the Social Practices Act, Social Practices in Nepal mean the following:

  • Marriage
  • Bratabandha (Sacred Thread Wearing Ceremony for a Boy
  • Chudakarma (Cutting the Boy’s Hair for the First Time after his Birth)
  • Pasni (Feeding Rice to a Child for the First Time after their birth)
  • Nwaran (Giving a Formal Name to address the Child)
  • Birthday
  • Chhaiti (Placing of Karma of the Boy on the 6th Day of their Birth)
  • Bhudo-Pasni (Practices observed in Eighty-Four Years in the age of a Man/Woman)
  • Pitri-Karya (Performance of practices in honor of one’s deceased ancestors)

Prohibition of Transaction in Marriage

Tilak refers to the property to be given by the bride to the bridegroom for the Acceptance of Marriage. Section 3 of the Act has prohibited Tilak and provisioned for a fine from NPR 12, 000 TO 25, 000 or imprisonment not more than 30 Days or Both.

The Bride mustn’t accept any cash and goods from the Bridegroom in connection to the marriage of the Daughter. They mustn’t be forced to provide ornament, clothes, cash, goods, or any other Property.

According to Section 4 of the Act, anyone who compels the Bridegroom results in a Fine up to NPR 10,000 or an imprisonment not exceeding 15 Days for compelling the Bridegroom. If the Bride side accepts cash or goods, then, they shall be liable to a fine from NPR 12,000 to NPR 25, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding One Year or Both.

Restriction on Daijo

The Family of Bridegroom cannot force the Family of Bride to give money, gifts, or any other items before or after the wedding and cannot agree to exchange them. They cannot stop or refuse to marry the bride without Dowry. However, for customary purposes, they can give gifts worth up to NPR 10, 000.

For breaking these Rules, they can be fined up to NPR 10, 000 and Imprisoned for up to 15 Days or Both. The Property transacted is also seized by the Government.

Restriction on Janta and Marriage Feast

According to Section 7 of the Act, no more than 51 Persons including the Music Players can be brought as Janta (Janti) to a marriage. The Marriage cannot involve any form of dancing in rent.

The Janta cannot involve fireworks well. If these Laws are violated, then, it results in a fine of up to NPR 10, 000 and imprisonment not more than 15 Days or Both.

The Act has also provisioned that more than 51 People cannot be invited to a wedding feast organized by the Bride and Bridegroom’s Families. For such violation, a fine of up to NPR 20, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 Days or Both can be given.

Restriction on Feast (Social Practices)

Regarding Feasts on Other Social Practices mentioned above, one cannot invite more than 25 People including neighbors and non-close relatives. If it is violated, a fine of up to NPR 10, 000 or imprisonment for up to 7 Days or Both can be enforced.

For Pitrikarya, no more than 25 Persons can be invited which includes Malami (Funeral Procession), Kaj Kiriya (Religious Rites after Death), Shraddha (Religious Rites in honor of one’s forefather/foremother), etc. It is punishable by NPR 10,000 and imprisonment not exceeding Seven Days or both.

Penalty

If individuals involved in the Government or an Employee of a Body controlled by the Government causes such conduct as prohibited in the Act, the employee shall be liable to department action.

If any members of the Back to Village National Campaign Committee(BVNC) or local bodies or Panchayat commits such act, they shall be liable to penalty as stated in the Code of Conduct.

Epilogue

Social Practices Reform Act 2033 was enacted in order to regulate Social Practices related to Birth, Death, and Marriage in Nepal and prevent the extravagancy that was a regular occurrence in these Acts.

Cite

Pokhrel, Aupson. “Social Practices Act 2033 – the #1 Encyclopedia of Nepali History.” Encyclopedia of Nepali History, 19 Oct. 2023, itihasaa.com/acts/social-practices-act-2033.