Jaat panchayat dissolved after facing flak

A jaat panchayat (community court) in Biturli village of Igatpuri tehsil in Nashik district has been dissolved due to the collective efforts of police, social organisations, Congress, BJP and the media. The jaat panchayat gave a written undertaking to the police that it had been dissolved and it was lifting the boycott. The action was prompted after The Asian Age reported on March 28 that the Thakar jaat panchayat had passed a ruling to boycott the disabled owner of a fair price shop (FPS), who had refused to allow villagers the use of his private water tank to wash their animals.

Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Ganesh Shelke of Ghoti police station told The Asian Age that he held a meeting with the villagers and showed them the law. When they understood the implications, they relented and gave a written undertaking. Police Inspector Prabhakar Patil had earlier ordered an inquiry in the episode.

Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti leaders Avinash Patil, Krishna Chandgude also held a meeting in the villagers. The local handicapped association, BJP and Youth Congress leaders also had demanded that the panchayat be dissolved.

The boycott victim Kashinath Agiwale, in his complaint, had claimed that some people were threatening him into leaving the village. He also gave the names of some people, who, he said should be held responsible in case anything happened to him.

According to Agiwale, the family was boycotted and not allowed to attend any community programmes, feasts, marriages and religious rites.

Villagers had directed Agiwale to allow them the use of his water tank for washing clothes and animals. He stated that his water tank would remain open for the villagers for their use but not washing animals. He also urged the elders to ask other villagers to also open up their tanks.