Jharkhand has almost no mukhiya-patis: a lesson for Bihar panchayats
Ranchi: according to reports, unlike the women mukhiyas of Bihar, the Jharkhand women mukhiyas are proving to be more independent minded and less likely to be dominated and overshadowed by their husbands – who have found the title of mukhiya-patis in Bihar over time. These mukhiya-patis even acquired a semi-official status by attending formal meetings, with the actual mukhiyas confined to putting down their signatures or thumb prints on pieces of paper. The Bihar government, embarrassed by reports on the phenomenon of mukhiya-patis is showing signs of impatience with the problem and has even taken measures to cut the mukhiya-patis to size.
It is reported that women mukhiyas in Jharkhand, who have been given 58 per cent reservation in panchayati raj by the Arjun Munda government, are actually able to use their powers more effectively than Bihar. The three-tier panchayati raj polls held in December 2010 elected more than 53,000 representatives, of which more than 30,000 are women. A mukhiya Cecilia Runda (48) of Hardag gram panchayat in Ranchi district told a correspondent that her husband David is in the driver’s seat ‘But only on the bike, when he drives me to my meetings.’
A typical woman mukhiya in Bihar may not be able to crack such a joke without getting into trouble with the spouse. Cecilia also said ‘In all, I have held over 20 meetings in my panchayat till now. I do consult my husband on crucial issues but take my own decisions on matters related to my gram panchayat.’ Her husband, notably an ex-armyman David who remains undisturbed by his wife’s status admitted ‘My father late Joseph Runda was the mukhiya of this panchayat about three decades ago. I also wanted to fight the election but the post was reserved for women. But I don’t dominate my wife.’ A husband in Bihar will not find it easy to make an admission like this either!
Part of the reason is tradition – in Jharkhand, tribal women have traditionally played a more active role in the family set up with more decision making powers. Karma Oraon, an anthropology professor at Ranchi University says ‘that’s the sole reason why husbands of mukhiyas here can’t rule by proxy.’
It seems that after the panchayat process started working, a few husbands particularly from non-tribal areas did try to rule by proxy. But the state Panchayati raj director asked deputy commissioners to stop the practice. As a result mukhiya-patis are nearly non-existent in Jharkhand.
Bihar and in particular, women from Bihar should take a lesson from this and join the authorities in keeping the mukhiya-patis away from decision making, even if they consult them at home like other family and village members.
[Courtesy: The Telegraph]