Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to ban village
councils from imposing “social boycotts” that ostracise individuals or
families for defying tradition.
Women and lower caste Dalits often bear the brunt of such judgments, passed as punishment for perceived misdeeds such as marrying between castes or dressing immodestly.
The state last month passed the law against a decades-old practice of village panchayats, or councils, ordering social boycotts.
“The Act was required against the backdrop of atrocities inflicted on people in the name of tradition, caste and community,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “It is necessary to prohibit social boycotts as a matter of social reform in the interest of public welfare,” he said.
Maharashtra’s new law declares social boycotts a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison, a fine of Rs five lakhs, or both.
Under village council orders, individuals and families have been banished from the community, and denied access to temples, wells, markets and celebrations.
In some cases, panchayats have even branded women as witches, and ordered gang rapes or killings as punishment.
Human rights campaigners called for other states to follow Maharashtra’s example.
Women and lower caste Dalits often bear the brunt of such judgments, passed as punishment for perceived misdeeds such as marrying between castes or dressing immodestly.
The state last month passed the law against a decades-old practice of village panchayats, or councils, ordering social boycotts.
“The Act was required against the backdrop of atrocities inflicted on people in the name of tradition, caste and community,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “It is necessary to prohibit social boycotts as a matter of social reform in the interest of public welfare,” he said.
Maharashtra’s new law declares social boycotts a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison, a fine of Rs five lakhs, or both.
Under village council orders, individuals and families have been banished from the community, and denied access to temples, wells, markets and celebrations.
In some cases, panchayats have even branded women as witches, and ordered gang rapes or killings as punishment.
Human rights campaigners called for other states to follow Maharashtra’s example.
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