2 min readJaipurUpdated: Dec 24, 2025 05:51 AM IST
The panchayat ordered that no women or girls from these villages will use camera phones with internet access from January 26, meaning that women are only allowed to use basic keypad phones. (Credit: )
A caste panchayat of 15 villages in Rajasthan’s Jalore district has issued an order barring women from using smartphones from next month, triggering protests.
In its recent ruling, the panchayat ordered that no women or girls from these villages will use camera phones with internet access from January 26, meaning that women are only allowed to use basic keypad phones.
According to local sources, the meeting where the decision was taken was held on Sunday in Ghazipur village in Jalore district.
The panchayat also stated that if girls require mobile phones for education, they will be allowed to use them only at home and not carry them to weddings, social events or neighbours’ houses.
The decision has sparked outrage, prompting some panchayat members to later justify the move by telling local media that it was “to prevent children from using their mothers’ mobile phones and damaging their eyesight”.
However, according to local sources, the decision followed instances of “women running away from their homes and creating difficulties for family members in society”.
“To control such incidents, the panchayat decided to issue these orders,” one source said.
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Jalore Collector Pradeep Gawande told The Indian Express that the district administration has been alerted to the row and is looking into the matter.
Meanwhile, the ruling has caused a furore, with critics calling it “an arbitrary ruling aimed at taking away women’s autonomy and freedom in the digital world”.
“This is unacceptable that in the 21st century, these khap panchayats have so much power. Why are they so afraid of women’s freedom? Superintendent of police in Jalore should take Suo moto cognizance of this matter and get it scrapped,” Suman Devathiya, managing trustee of the non-profit Agaaz Foundation, said.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
