In MP, elected women stand aside, husbands take oath

INDORE/BHOPAL: In a bizarre reflection of bigotry in Madhya Pradesh's hinterland, at least 15 women who were elected as panchs and sarpanchs in Dhar and Damoh districts sat in the audience or stayed home as their husbands - dubbed 'Panch Patis' - took oath on the Constitution, right under the noses of government officials.
The incidents make a mockery of women reservation in electoral politics. What's more, in Dhar, the designated government official stood aside as a local BJP leader administered the oath of office. When word of this got out, a panchayat secretary in Damoh was suspended and a Dhar official showcaused.
The incidents happened in Sundrel gram panchayat of Dhar district, about 90km from Indore, and Gaisabad panchayat in Damoh, 65km from the district HQ and 315km from Bhopal.
In Sundrel on Thursday, Radha Bai, Laxmi Bai and Kiran Bai who won the panchayat election sat in the audience as spectators, as local BJP leader Radheshyam Kasrawadiya administered the oath to their husbands on stage. A video shows their husbands Lakhan, Dilip and Jeevan clearly declaring their intention to assume office. Five women also took oath, standing in a far corner of the dais. A hue and cry ensued when the video got out. Administrative officials tried to downplay it as a 'procedural lapse' and said that "if the women complain, their rights will be secured".
"We are aware and have taken cognizance of the incident. It is a procedural lapse," Dhar zilla panchayat CEO KL Meena told TOI. His office is issuing a showcause notice to Sundrel gram panchayat secretary Badam Singh Ningwal. "We will also ask how a local politician administered the oath," Meena said.
Ningwal complained that his objections went unheeded and the local leader was propped by the crowd to administer the oath. "None of the male villagers present in the ceremony were ready to accept the women panchs. They feared for their 'family customs'," Ningwal said. "I have informed my seniors in the Janpad Panchayat and will ensure that all women panchs will appear in panchayat activities, just like their male counterparts. We will not allow their husbands to take part in any of the panchayat proceedings," he said.
But the women don't seem like they can 'claim their rights'. Meena said he has not received any complaint from the women. "If any winning candidate raises an objection or lodges a complaint of violation of her rights, especially by male members of her family, appropriate action will be taken to safeguard their rights," he said. "We are organizing training sessions for the winning candidates to educate them about their rights. They are also being told about advanced modes to communicate with administration to raise such issues," he added.
In Damoh, husbands of 12 women were administered oath to their posts, including sarpanch. The ceremony was held on August 3 at the panchayat bhawan in Gaisabad. None of the 12 women were there and village secretary Dhannu Singh administered the oath to husbands. When the administration got to know of it, it scrambled for damage control. The 12 women were hurriedly called to panchayat bhawan at night and administered oath. District panchayat CEO Ajay Shrivastav sought a report from janpad panchayat CEO. "Based on report, village panchayat secretary was suspended on August 5. Detailed probe will be conducted and action will be taken," Shrivastav told TOI. tnn