A community panchayat in Rajasthan’s Jalore district has imposed a sweeping ban on smartphones with cameras for women across 15 villages, citing concerns over children’s excessive mobile use and its impact on their eyesight. The decision, taken at a meeting in Gazipur village of the Sundhamata Patti area, will come into force on January 26 and applies primarily to daughters‑in‑law and unmarried girls of the Chaudhary community.
What the new rule says
Under the new rule, women will not be allowed to carry smartphones at public gatherings, social functions, weddings, or even while visiting neighbours’ houses, and may only use basic keypad phones for calls. The restriction effectively curtails the use of smartphones outside the home, with school‑ and college‑going girls permitted to use mobiles for studies only within their houses and barred from taking them to any public or social event.
The panchayat argues that when women carry smartphones, children tend to use them frequently for games and videos, which leaders claim can damage their eyesight and distract them from studies. Community president Sujanaram Choudhary has framed the order as a preventive step taken “in the interest of children’s health,” insisting that it aims to control screen time rather than punish women.
Villages covered and how the decision was taken
The decision emerged from a large community meeting chaired by Sujanaram Choudhary in Gazipur, attended by representatives from 14 pattis, or local sub‑units of the community. During the meeting, a proposal reportedly put forward by Devaram of Karnol village was read out by Panch Himmtaram and later unanimously endorsed by panchayat members and community representatives.
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The smartphone ban will be implemented in villages including Gazipura, Pavli, Kalda, Manojiya Vas, Rajikavas, Datalavas, Rajpura, Kodi, Sidrodi, Aladi, Ropsi, Khanadeval, Savdhar, Hathmi ki Dhani of Bhinmal, and Khanpur. Students who genuinely need phones for educational purposes may keep them at home, but carrying mobiles outside—even for academic work—has been explicitly prohibited.
Criticism over women’s rights and access to technology
The order has sparked strong reactions within and outside the community, with critics calling it regressive and discriminatory for targeting only women while leaving men’s smartphone use unrestricted. Social activists argue that the decision undermines ongoing government efforts to empower women through digital tools, including earlier schemes distributing smartphones and tablets to girls and women.
Anita Soni, who heads the Ekal Nari Sangathan, pointed out that while authorities talk about digital inclusion, such community rules effectively deny women access to technology, information, and emergency communication. She questioned why restrictions are placed solely on women when concerns raised by the panchayat—such as children’s screen time—could be addressed through awareness and parental guidance instead of gender‑specific bans.
Official response and next steps
Police officials, speaking off the record, said they have not yet received any formal complaint regarding the panchayat’s decision but assured that suitable legal action would be considered if affected women or rights groups approach them. Legal experts note that while community bodies may issue social guidelines, any enforcement that violates fundamental rights—such as freedom of movement, equality, and access to communication—could be challenged in court. For in-depth report read here from hindustan times.
Meanwhile, national debate continues over whether such local orders should be allowed to shape women’s daily lives in the digital age, especially when smartphones are essential for education, safety, and economic participation. The Jalore smartphone ban has thus become a flashpoint in the larger conversation about women’s autonomy, community customs, and the limits of informal village governance in contemporary India.
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