Jind village sarpanch leads crusade against veil

 Parvesh Sharma Tribune News Service

Jind, April 23
In the male-dominated Jat land, where women never even dare to speak in front of the male members of their families, woman sarpanch of Chappar village, Neelam, has been trying to end the centuries-old tradition of “ghoonghat” (veil).

The sarpanch, with the help of other like-minded women, has been organising special lectures and interactions to end the custom of veil, which she sees as a major hurdle in the progress of women.

“Ghoonghat is a big obstacle for progressive women. Time is changing now and women want to shun this burden and they just need a push and inspiration. I am trying to convince women to shun it,” Neelam said.

She is a daughter of a former serviceman and has studied till senior secondary level. Her family is settled in Sonepat. She got married to a farmer of Chhapar village, Sohan Lal, in 1999. Initially, she tried to convince village women secretly to shun the veil, but when she did not get the desired support, in 2007 she launched a campaign, with the help of her husband, to spread awareness about women rights and against social evils such as dowry and female foeticide.

“We have the support of maximum women of the village and all want to join us. But many still do not come out openly due to the fear of their husbands. Their number is rising and now many women of other villages also want our help to fight against social evils and shun the veil,” Neelam added.

It was the result of her rising popularity that she became the village sarpanch in 2010 and has received many awards like the state award and an award for providing proper drinking water to the village. The Jind administration has also honoured her for her work.

Though the number of women joining her campaign is rising slowly, it has divided the village males in two groups as some support her while others do not. Many villagers said they did not have any problem if their women wanted to do away with the veil while others said they would never allow their women to shun it.

“Ghoonghat ab jaruri nahi raha samay badal raha hai, (The veil is not necessary anymore, times are changing),” said a youngster Suresh, standing near the village Chaupal.

But old-aged Krishan intervened and asserted that it was a must for all women to maintain the dignity of the family.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140424/haryana.htm#8