Invoking the Constitution and its promise of equality, a 2,500 strong village in Maharashtra has voted to end caste discrimination in daily life. The resolution relies on social consensus rather than law, testing whether change can begin locally
At first glance, Soundala looks like any other village in the semi-arid Khandesh region of Maharashtra. It faces familiar challenges: broken roads, inadequate funds for development works, and water scarcity.
But on February 5 this year, this settlement of roughly 2,500 people passed a formal gram sabha resolution declaring itself caste free. It was an attempt to confront one of India’s most entrenched social hierarchies at the village level.
But on February 5 this year, this settlement of roughly 2,500 people passed a formal gram sabha resolution declaring itself caste free. It was an attempt to confront one of India’s most entrenched social hierarchies at the village level.