Jaipur: Police in Jalore are keeping a close watch on weddings and social gatherings this season as part of an intensified crackdown on ‘manuhar’—a deeply rooted tradition in western Rajasthan in which opium is ceremonially served to guests at functions such as weddings, funerals, and festivals.SP (Jalore) Gyan Chand Yadav said that three FIRs were registered and 15 individuals booked so far this year for either organising or attempting to serve opium at public events. The ritual, considered almost obligatory in districts like Jalore, often compelled families to spend up to Rs 3 lakh to uphold the custom, driven by community expectations. But with enforcement stepped up this wedding season, police say violations are being proactively identified and prevented.“We’ve received direct complaints from individuals saying they were being forced by relatives to serve opium at family events,” Yadav told TOI. “In one case, a man told us his brother insisted on following the tradition. Another person reported similar pressure from within the family. These accounts reflect the grip of the practice—and a growing willingness to challenge it.”Apart from lodging cases, the police have begun preventive actions, including issuing warnings and binding down suspects. Awareness drives have also been launched to inform the public about the health risks and legal consequences of narcotics use under the NDPS Act. Police are also tracking disguised attempts to bypass the crackdown. In some instances, opium-laced tea was reportedly served from kettles, prompting sharp public reaction after video clips went viral. In response, plainclothes officers have been deployed at high-footfall functions, and the local informer network has been strengthened to flag suspicious activity.The police say the operation will remain active through the festive and marriage season, with strict monitoring of known distributors and close surveillance of venues hosting large gatherings.“We are not targeting tradition—we are acting against drug abuse,” said an officer. “Serving opium is illegal, regardless of how long it was practised. That message is being delivered clearly.”
