Bill to root out social boycott by caste panchayats on anvil

The BJP-led government in Maharastra has decided to bring a bill in the coming budget session of the state Legislature to eradicate "unconstitutional" practices, including social boycott, pronounced by bodies like caste panchayats.
The legislation, 'Prohibition of Social Boycott Bill', will ensure stringent punishment to those indulging in unlawful practices under forums like caste panchayats.
"The bill aims to root out evil, outdated and unconstitutional practices of Caste Panchayats, Gavki, Community Panchayats, etc," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today after the Cabinet meeting here.
"Provisions for strict punishment have been made in this bill to end this sort of harassment and gives the right to live with dignity," Fadnavis tweeted.

The legislative initiative assumes significance as the practice of social boycott of a person or group of persons, and their family members, still prevails in various parts of the state and the existing laws have proved ineffective in tackling the social menace.
Social ostracism is practised at the behest of a 'Caste Panchayats' at the community level that regulates various practices, personal or social behaviour of the members and resolves disputes by issuing written or oral dicta, an official said.
The draft bill describes "Community" as a group, the members of which are connected together by reason or the fact that by birth, conversion or the performance of any religious rites or ceremonies, they belong to the same religion or religious creed, and includes a caste or sub-caste.