Maharashtra village slaps ₹500 fine on using sister and mothers in abuse

Ahilyanagar(The Uttam Hindu): A village in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district has taken a significant step to promote respect and dignity for women. The village Gram Panchayat has introduced a rule that imposes a fine of ₹500 on anyone using abusive language targeting women, specifically insults involving mothers and sisters. This decision was made during a women's Gram Sabha held on International Women's Day, where residents gathered to discuss and address social issues.

The proposal to curb such language was sparked by a concern raised by Pooja Jagtap, a member of a self-help group, who questioned why these insults were being tolerated in everyday conversations. The gram panchayat not only passed the proposal but also ensured that the collected fines would be utilised for village development. To prevent misuse, digital evidence is required to impose the penalty. Sarpanch Purushottam Lagad emphasised that the women and their children would take the lead in identifying offenders, marking a significant step towards creating a more respectful community.