Panchayat is a type of village court of India. Actually it is a non elected village council comprising local elders. It is a very influential council in the rural areas. Though Panchayat do not have any legal weight.
A Panchayt in Dausa district of Rajasthan has banned girls from using cell phone and also prohibited girls from wearing scarves. Because scarves help girls to hide their identities and cell phone helps girls to communicate with their boyfriends.
Ironically the Panchayat didn’t barred boys from using cell phones. This cell phone ban came after a girl eloping with her boyfriend few days ago. Local police said that no one has yet complained against Panchayat’s recent restriction.
Panchayats have been blamed for various abuses including ‘honour killings’.