Kolhapur. The death of a woman’s husband is the biggest shock for her. After this, the custom of wiping off the vermilion and removing the mangalsutra from the demand overshadows him, but a village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra has decided to change this practice. In Herwad village of Shirol tehsil, the panchayat has decided that after the death of a woman’s husband, they will neither have to wipe the vermilion nor remove the mangalsutra from the demand. The women’s self-help group of the village has also submitted a memorandum to Maharashtra Minister Rajendra Yadrakar on behalf of the widowed women of the village. It calls for a ban on practices for widows.
On May 4, the village panchayat decided in this regard. Sarpanch Surgonda Patil told that Pramod Jinjade, the founder president of Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal had initiated this. According to Patil, women have to go through such practices and it is disrespectful to them. The Sarpanch said that the people of the village are proud of taking the decision regarding the women. Especially on the occasion of the 100th death anniversary of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, this work done for the salvation of women is special. He said a colleague died of a heart attack. His wife’s bangles were broken. On demand, the vermilion was wiped off and the mangalsutra was removed. This added to the grief of the woman.
The sarpanch said that Jinjade, who inspired him to end the practice, has written in his will that after his death, the wife should not be forced to follow such a practice. Patil said that the village panchayat has already started several schemes for the welfare of women and children. 5000 rupees are being given for education to the children of those who lost their lives in COVID.