In a significant reversal, village elders in Rajasthan's Jalore district have officially withdrawn a controversial ban that prohibited women from using smartphones. The decision to lift the restriction came during a meeting held on Thursday in Gazipur village, where the panchas unanimously agreed to end the prohibition following widespread criticism.
The Initial Ban and Its Stipulations
The original ban was instituted during a gathering of the Chaudhary community of Sundhamata Patti on December 21 in Gazipur village. It dictated that daughters and daughters-in-law from 15 surrounding villages would be barred from using smartphones effective January 26. The affected villages included Ghazipur, Pawali, Kalda, Manojiyawas, Rajikawas, Datlawas, Rajpura, Kodi, Sidrodi, Aldi, Ropsi, Khanadewal, Savidhar, Hathmi Ki Dhani, and Khanpur.
The order, announced by community member Himmataram, permitted women to use only basic keypad phones for making calls. An exception was made for school-going girls, who could use a mobile for educational purposes but strictly within their homes. They were explicitly forbidden from taking phones to weddings, social gatherings, or neighbours' houses.
Rationale and Subsequent Clarification
Community elders cited concerns over children's welfare and cyber safety as the primary reasons behind the initial decision. Natharam Chaudhary, another member, explained that women had expressed worries about their children's excessive smartphone use. "They neither eat nor study and spend the entire day watching videos, which has adverse effects on their brain and eyesight," he stated.
He further emphasized concerns about cyber fraud and exploitation targeting women and girls. The one-month period before the ban's intended implementation was described as an observational phase. "If everyone had found it acceptable, it would have been implemented from January 26, but people misunderstood the decision," Chaudhary remarked, clarifying that adherence was never meant to be compulsory.
Public Backlash and Social Media Uproar
The ban faced immediate and fierce opposition after a video of the panchayat announcement circulated on social media. Activists and women's rights organizations condemned the move, viewing it as an attempt to control women and police their access to technology under the guise of protecting family honour.
The backlash was particularly vocal on platform X (formerly Twitter). One user urged women from the 15 villages to collectively defy the order, questioning the enforceability of such a diktat. Another user sarcastically suggested that women should "definitely accept" the ban, but only if men simultaneously gave up paan, bidis, cigarettes, hookah, alcohol, and even keeping a moustache.
Key Takeaways from the Incident
This episode highlights several critical issues in contemporary rural India:
- Community Authority vs. Individual Rights: It underscores the tension between traditional community governance and individual freedoms, especially concerning gender.
- The Power of Public Discourse: The swift reversal demonstrates how public opinion and social media scrutiny can influence and overturn regressive local edicts.
- Navigating Technology: The case reflects the broader, complex challenge of balancing cultural norms with the integration of modern technology into daily life.
The withdrawal of the ban marks a victory for digital inclusion and gender equality advocates, though it also reveals the persistent digital gender divide and patriarchal mindsets that continue to surface in various parts of the country.
