8 months ago
Rajasthan village elders ban women from using smartphones
In a village in Rajasthan, India, the elders decided that women and girls should not use smartphones.
They thought this would help children study better and stay safe from online tricks.
But many people disagreed, so the elders changed their minds and allowed women to use simple phones for calling.
They said the main idea was to keep kids safe, but it was not understood correctly.
Now, women can use phones at home for schoolwork, but not at parties or friends' houses.
Village elders in Rajasthan's Jalore district banned women from using smartphones starting January 26.
The ban was withdrawn on December 25 after facing opposition and being misunderstood.
Women are allowed to use keypad phones for making calls.
School-going girls can use smartphones only inside their homes for studies.
The ban was initially proposed due to concerns about children's screen time and cyber fraud.
- Who
- Village elders and community members of the Chaudhary community in Sundhamata Patti, Rajasthan
- What
- Ban on women using smartphones
- Where
- Gazipur village in Jalore district, Rajasthan
- When
- The ban was announced on December 21 and withdrawn on December 25
- Why
- Concerns about children's screen time and cyber fraud
Key facts
- Location
- Gazipur village, Jalore district, Rajasthan
- Date of Ban Announcement
- December 21
- Date of Ban Withdrawal
- December 25
- Affected Villages
- 15 villages in Sundhamata Patti
- Allowed Device
- Keypad (feature) phones for calls
- Restricted Usage
- No smartphones at weddings or social functions
- Reason for Ban
- Concerns about children's screen time and cyber fraud
Quotes
Caste Panchayat (Khap) of 15 villages in Jalore district
A caste panchayat (khap) representing 15 villages in Jalore district, Rajasthan, that issued the diktat during a public meeting on December 21.
“There will be a ban on smartphone usage by women in the villages. At the same time, if girls require mobile phones for education they will be allowed to use them only at home. But they will not be allowed to carry them to weddings, social events or neighbours’ houses.”
thequint.com



