In a unique step aimed at promoting respect and dignity in everyday conversations, Kolgaon village in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district has introduced a rule imposing a ₹500 fine on anyone who uses abusive language involving someone’s mother or sister. The resolution was passed by the Kolgaon gram panchayat during a special women’s gram sabha held on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

The initiative reflects a growing effort within the village to discourage derogatory language and foster a more respectful social environment.

Resolution Passed During Women’s Gram Sabha

Kolgaon, located in Shrigonda taluka of Ahilyanagar district, has a population of around 9,000 residents. The village includes people from diverse castes and religions and primarily depends on agriculture for its livelihood.

On Sunday, following government directives, the village organised a special women’s gram sabha chaired by senior anganwadi worker Shakuntala Deshmukh. The meeting also included a felicitation programme recognising women from the village who had made notable contributions to agriculture and other fields.

During this event, Puja Jagtap, a member of a self-help group who comes from an agricultural family, raised an important issue. She suggested that the village should take strict action against people who casually use abusive expressions referring to someone’s mother or sister.

Her proposal sparked a discussion among those present at the gram sabha.

₹500 Fine for Using ‘Maa-Behen’ Abuses

Following detailed deliberations, the gram sabha approved a resolution imposing a ₹500 penalty on anyone found using such offensive language.

Village sarpanch Purushottam Lagad explained that the decision was taken collectively after the suggestion received support during the discussion. The measure is intended to discourage the normalisation of abusive language that demeans women and their identities.

However, to prevent the rule from being misused or misapplied, the gram panchayat introduced a key safeguard.

Fine Will Be Imposed Only With Digital Evidence

According to the resolution, the ₹500 fine will be imposed only if digital evidence is provided. Villagers must submit audio or video recordings proving that someone used abusive language referring to another person’s mother or sister.

Once such evidence is submitted to the gram panchayat and verified, the offender will be required to pay the penalty.

Local authorities have also encouraged women in the village to take the lead in identifying offenders. If necessary, their children may also assist in recording or reporting such incidents.

The panchayat has stated that all fines collected under this rule will be used for village development activities.

The Idea Behind the Initiative

Explaining the reasoning behind her proposal, Puja Jagtap said that insulting people by referring to their mothers or sisters has become extremely common in everyday conversations and arguments.

She emphasised that girls eventually grow into women who shoulder significant responsibilities within families and society. Reducing their identities to abusive expressions, she argued, is disrespectful and should not be accepted as normal behaviour.

The initiative therefore aims to challenge the casual acceptance of such language and encourage people to think about the social impact of the words they use.

Cleanliness Rule Introduced With ₹100 Fine

During the same gram sabha meeting, another resolution related to cleanliness was also passed.

Residents have been urged to maintain cleanliness around their homes and commercial establishments. Anyone found violating the rule—such as by leaving surroundings dirty—can face a fine of ₹100.

Similar to the rule on abusive language, this penalty will only be applied if photographic evidence is submitted to the gram panchayat.

The objective of this measure is to improve sanitation and encourage residents to take responsibility for maintaining a clean environment in the village.

Earlier Initiative: Study Hours Without TV or Mobile Phones

Kolgaon has previously introduced community initiatives aimed at promoting discipline and improving the quality of life in the village.

For the past year, the village has been following a resolution focused on children’s education. According to this rule, students study at home from 7 pm to 9 pm without the use of television or mobile phones.

Parents also follow the same rule during these hours to ensure that children have a quiet and distraction-free environment for studying.

A Community-Driven Effort

The new rules reflect a broader effort by Kolgaon’s gram panchayat to build a more respectful and responsible community culture.

By penalising derogatory language and encouraging cleanliness and disciplined study habits, the village leadership hopes to promote positive social behaviour and collective accountability.

The initiative against “maa-behen” abuses, in particular, highlights the growing role of women in shaping community decisions and challenging long-standing social norms.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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