The panchayat also asked Sindhi girls not to cover their faces when they step out, maintaining it will facilitate “easy identification” and “discourage girls from meeting lovers secretly”. The panchayat said the diktat was being issued “in the interest of the girls”.

“There are helmets and sun-screens to protect the face,” a community leader argued. Another said if girls returned home from colleges in buses, they would not need two-wheelers.

Ramesh Varyalani, a Sindhi community leader, said only girls who were above 25 years of age should be allowed to use mobiles. “If the community does not stop all this, who will?” he responded when he was questioned about the logic behind the restrictions.

With Priyanka and Umar eloping to Mumbai to get married, even lawyers have joined the Hindu Kanya Raksha Samiti, formed yesterday to prevent inter-religion alliances, and are all set to accompany Priyanka’s parents to Mumbai. They will argue on behalf of her parents in a court case on Friday. “The court has so far heard only one side of the story, we will argue our case,” VHP leader Dilip Khandelwal told The Indian Express. Hindu activists also submitted a memorandum to the Governor today.

Meanwhile, Ausaf Shahmiri Khurram of All India Muslim Tyohar Committee said Umar had been given two days to explain why he should not be excommunicated for marrying a Hindu girl. “Islam recognises a marriage only between Muslims,” he said.

A majority of Muslims don’t recognise the organisation and tried to maintain a distance, saying it was a matter involving two individuals. “If he has married a Hindu girl after converting to Hinduism, it’s his business,” a Muslim leader said.

Commenting on the issue, Bharatiya Janashakti leader Bhagwan Das Sabnani said the media was glorifying the love story. “The media is presenting Priyanka as a role model. What is so great in marrying a boy from another religion and causing distress to the family?” he asked.