Gujarati Singer Kinjal Dave's engagement stirs up community hornet's nest

Gandhinagar: A controversy has broken out after the Panch Pargana Audichya Brahma Samaj has expelled the family of noted Gujarati Singer Kinjal Dave after the singer announced her engagement with an industrialist from outside the community.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the community in Sihori in Kankrej in North Gujarat where the community voiced its displeasure over the intercaste marriage and announced that the singer and her family shall be boycotted by the community for life.

Speaking to ET from Kankrej, Hargovan Joshi a member of the community said that the decision was taken by the community in its own interest to protect the girls. “All the communities have their own set of laws and they operate within that framework and everyone is concerned about the well-being and safety of the daughters,” Joshi said adding that the decision will be enforced across more than 200 villages that come under the Panch Pargana Audichya Brahma Samaj.


The decision, it is learnt entails not only the expulsion of Kinjal’s father but also bars everyone from the community to host them in any family function. Anyone who would welcome the expelled ones will also be held liable for action, it has been decided.

Not taking the decision lying down, Dave has issued a video statement on social media and threatened legal action against those posting against her family.

Acknowledging the support from there are a few anti-social elements who would decide rules and regulations for girls as to what should be the limit for them. Girls have got their wings to fly and they want to clip them,” Dave said appealing to the more “educated and understanding” section of the community to throw out the few “anti-social elements from the community.”

She further threatened legal action against anyone posting against her family. “So far these elements threatening to expel from community or do this or that, brothers no one is ready to employ you for a salary of five thousand rupees, you go and take care of your families first,” she added. “If you have to talk about issues talk about girl’s education, child marriage and other archaic practices, she added.

Congress Spokesperson and Brahmin community leader Hemang Raval came in open support of the expulsion of Kinjal’s family and told ET that the decision has been taken as per the social constitution so that the next generation does not repeat her mistakes.

“This is a decision that impacts only that small group and not the entire community. As far as the state body of the community is concerned, we have not received any representation from them so far,” Yagnesh Dave convenor Samast Gujarat Brahm Samaj and BJP Media cell convenor.