Which village in Maharashtra announced itself as a ‘caste-free’ village?

In a truly remarkable display of community consensus and social reform, the village of Soundala in the Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra has declared itself a caste-free village by adopting a resolution that commits to the eradication of caste-based discrimination and the principle of human equality. According to a report published by Deccan Herald (Feb 12, 2026), a unanimous decision was made by the Gram Sabha on Feb 5, 2026, and the resolution was made to reject caste distinctions and to promote the guiding motto “Aamchi jaat… manav” (“my caste is humanity”). The move was reported as unanimous, with villagers representing diverse social backgrounds voting in favour of the declaration during a community meeting.According to the resolution, Soundala will no longer engage in caste-based discrimination or social exclusion of any kind. Public facilities like government services, schools, temples, water bodies, community halls, and crematories are now committed to being accessible to all residents, irrespective of their caste, religion, creed, and race. The village administration also clarified that they would take measures to mitigate any caste-based issues or derogatory social media posts, thus emphasizing their proactive approach towards maintaining social harmony.The caste-free resolution draws inspiration from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, which holds ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This is a living embodiment of these ideals, thus emphasizing the village’s commitment to treating all residents as equals in a common community.Soundala is a mixed village, with people from different castes residing in the village. Although the community historically reports few caste-based conflicts, the resolution was framed as a preventive measure, intended to forestall discrimination rather than merely react to it.Although some measures, such as the resolution, are of a symbolic nature, the villagers are determined to follow up their words with deeds. Socially, it appears that any form of discrimination will not only be discouraged but also monitored through community bodies if need be.In a report by The Indian Express on February 19, 2026, it was found that in 2024, the village had adopted resolutions in favor of widow remarriage and the prohibition of degrading curse words. These steps had earlier attracted attention for challenging local social norms.The initiative in Soundala has drawn attention beyond local media, with civil society groups proposing that 5 February be recognised internationally as “International Caste-Free Day”.Soundala’s move has been recognized as a people’s initiative for social change. Although the caste system is still a strong social phenomenon in many corners of Indian society, Soundala’s statement is recognized as an attempt to re-define the community’s identity on the basis of their shared humanity, rather than their birth status. Although it is a small village’s initiative, it is relevant to the discourse on equality and justice in Indian society.