Jat Panchayat Bans Smartphones for Married Women in Rajasthan

A caste panchayat in Rajasthan’s Jalore district has issued a controversial diktat banning smartphone use by married women belonging to a section of the Jat community. The decision, taken at a meeting held on December 21 in Ghazipur village, will come into effect from Republic Day in 2026 and has sparked sharp criticism from social activists and women’s rights groups.

Panchayat Decision and Scope of the Ban

The resolution was passed by the Sundhamata Patti panchayat of the Chaudhary clan, covering 15 villages in the Bhinmal–Khanpur area. As per the diktat, daughters-in-law and young women will not be allowed to carry camera-enabled smartphones to weddings, public gatherings or even while visiting neighbours. They may use only basic keypad phones for voice calls. The decision was read out by panch Himmataram and adopted with the stated consensus of elders and panchayat members.

Reasons Cited by Community Leaders

Community head Sujanaram Chaudhary, who presided over the meeting, said the ban was aimed at addressing mobile addiction and protecting children’s eyesight. He argued that children often use smartphones belonging to women in the household, leading to excessive screen exposure. The resolution claimed that restricting smartphone access would help improve family discipline and child wellbeing.

Limited Exception for Education

The diktat allows girls pursuing education to use smartphones at home strictly for academic purposes. However, even these students will be barred from carrying smartphones to social events or neighbourhood visits. The ban will be enforced across villages including Ghazipur, Pawali, Kalda, Manojiyawas, Rajikawas, Datlawas, Rajpura, Kodi, Sidrodi, Aldi, Ropsi, Khanadewal, Savidhar, Hathmi Ki Dhani and Khanpur.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Caste panchayats are informal social bodies with no constitutional authority.
• Restrictions on personal freedoms can conflict with fundamental rights.
• Digital access is increasingly linked to education and empowerment.
• Gender-based norms often feature in debates on social reform.

Criticism and Wider Social Debate

Videos of the proclamation circulated on social media, triggering widespread condemnation. Critics viewed the decision as an attempt to control women and protect notions of family honour and privacy. Social media users questioned the legality and enforceability of the diktat, with some calling for collective defiance by women. The incident has reignited debate on gender equality, digital rights and the continued influence of extra-legal social bodies in rural India.