Santosh Kaushik, Balod chapter head, highlighted the crisis: numerous alliances shatter after secretive mobile exchanges. ‘Our probe showed these chats plant seeds of doubt,’ he noted. Now, any pre-wedding communication requires parental supervision, aiming to maintain transparency and trust.

The joota chupai ritual, where brides’ sisters playfully hide the groom’s footwear for ransom, is history. ‘It turns festive vibes into family feuds,’ said spokesperson Umesh Kumar Sen. This OBC group, numbering over 2 lakh, seeks to eliminate such friction points.

Further reforms mandate eco-friendly leaf platters over plastic at feasts, cap engagement crowds at 20, respect muhurat timings, and impose social boycotts on religious converts. These steps underscore a proactive stance against modern pitfalls eroding traditional values, positioning the community for stronger family units in changing times.