A new morning for the women folk
By: Priyanka Saurabh
Taking a historic initiative, Dhani Biran village in Haryana has resolved to free daughters and daughters-in-law from the practice of veil. Led by the village elder Dharampal, the Panchayat decided that no woman will be forced to wear a veil and action will be taken against anyone who opposes it.
Sarpanch Kavita Devi led this change by removing the veil herself. This initiative has inspired women in the village to participate in education, employment and public life. Despite some voices of opposition, Dhani Biran has set an example by maintaining a balance between thinking and tradition. This step has become a ray of hope for women empowerment not only in the village but in the entire state.
It was eight o’clock at night. A large number of men, women and children had gathered at the Chaupal of Dhani Biran village. There was light of diyas and lanterns flickering all around amidst the slow winds. There was a strange excitement in the atmosphere – as if some big change was knocking at the door.
Then the elderly Dharampal, whose words are respected in the village, stood up and said in a heavy voice:
“A daughter is the one who enhances our home. Our daughter will also spread light in someone else’s courtyard. From today, we take a pledge that we will not ask any daughter-in-law or daughter why she has taken off her veil. If anyone opposes this, then an appropriate decision will be taken against him in the Panchayat.”
All the people sitting in the Chaupal raised their hands together and supported this resolution. This was not just support, it was a collective decision to break the shackles of a centuries-old mentality.
Kavita Devi showed the way
The village head Kavita Devi, who was till now wearing a veil as per tradition, slowly moved forward. Then in front of everyone’s eyes, she pushed the veil back from her head. She kept smiling proudly, with her head held high – as if a burden of centuries was falling away under her smile.
This bold step of Kavita Devi infused a new energy in the other women as well. Gradually, many more women, who were hesitant to remove the pallu from their heads, stood in the Chaupal and came forward without the veil. A new story was being written in Dhani Biran – the story of freedom from the veil.
Tradition or bondage?
In a state like Haryana, where the veil was long considered a symbol of respect and culture, on the other hand, this tradition also often imposed invisible restrictions on women’s freedom and confidence.
Confining daughters-in-law and daughters to their homes, reducing their participation in public life – all these have been the invisible ill-effects of the purdah system. But today Dhani Biran had decided that the real meaning of respect does not lie in control, but in equality.
Change doesn’t come in a day
The village elder Dharampal believes that change does not come suddenly. “One has to act wisely. If we want to give our daughters-in-law and daughters the opportunity for education, employment and decision-making, then first of all we have to remove the veil of our thinking,” he says. This thinking gave a new direction to the entire village. Today, the people of Dhani Biran are not only talking about removing the veil, but are also giving priority to girls’ education, women’s participation in the Panchayat and economic independence.
Small initiatives, big impact
Sarpanch Kavita Devi says, “Earlier women used to speak from behind the curtain even in the Panchayat meeting. Now we want sisters and daughters-in-law to speak openly. A daughter is not just meant to light the stove in the house, she is also meant to shape the future of the village.” Efforts are also being made to increase the school attendance of girls in the village. Literacy campaigns, health camps, and awareness programs on women empowerment are also being planned.
There were also sounds of protest
Of course, with every change there is some opposition. Some old-fashioned people of the village are still hesitant to give up the practice of purdah. But when elders like Dharampal, whose voice is heard with respect in the village, support this initiative from an open platform, the opposition automatically starts weakening. Dharampal says smilingly, “If the goddess of wealth keeps herself tied, how will the house prosper? Let the daughters fly, they will create new skies.”
Starting from one village, to the whole state?
The light of the lamp lit at the Chaupal of Dhani Biran will not be limited to this village only. This change will set an example for other villages, towns and districts as well.
This story tells us that when a village elder changes his thinking, when the Sarpanch removes her veil, when women shed their fear and smile – then the real revolution takes place. And perhaps in the years to come, some girl will stand at the Chaupal of Dhani Biran and say: “My village did not give me a veil, but courage.”
The resolution of Dhani Biran
“We take a pledge – we will not take away the freedom of any daughter-in-law or daughter to not wear a veil. We will give equal opportunity to women in Panchayat, education and employment. Appropriate decision will be taken in Panchayat against those who oppose. Dhani Biran has not removed the veil, but the veil of thoughts.”
(Priyanka Saurabh is a research scholar and a columnist)
