Initiative to end widow system in Maharashtra: Women will not have to break bangles, remove vermilion, there is no compulsion to wear white sari

 National Desk:
Gongutri Kashyap:

 Taking a corrective step, the Maharashtra government has taken the initiative to end many orthodox traditions for widowed women.  This includes the practice of breaking bangles, wiping vermilion and removing mangalsutra after the death of the husband.  Considering the Herwad gram panchayat of Kolhapur as an example, the state government has ordered to end the widow system in the entire state.

 This government order (circular) has been issued by the state government to all the gram panchayats.  The responsibility of getting it implemented has been entrusted to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Parishad.  At present, no provision has been made for punishment for not following the rules.  CEO has been asked to encourage Gram Panchayats and spread mass awareness. State Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif has appealed to all the gram panchayats to set up an ideal by emulating Herwad gram panchayat.  He said that Maharashtra has always been in the forefront to stop the evil practice.  Herwad Gram Panchayat has passed a resolution to stop the evil practice of wiping the vermilion of the wife and removing the mangalsutra after the death of her husband.  On this decision of the government, Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has said – “When this matter came to the fore, I had demanded that the decision of Herwad gram panchayat should be implemented in the entire state.  This is a revolutionary decision. ”Senior advocate and social activist Abha Singh said that this decision is welcome.  This is a step to give equality to women.  Wherever this evil practice is prevalent in the country, it should be ended immediately.