SC Directs NGO To Petition Government Against ‘Sarpanch-patism’

The Supreme Court has recently stated that the responsibility of addressing the issue of men exerting power behind elected women in grassroots politics lies with the government, not the judiciary.

The court advised the NGO, Mundona Rural Development Foundation, to make a representation before the Ministry of Panchayati Raj regarding this matter.

The NGO argued that unelected male relatives exercising political and decision-making authority on behalf of women undermines constitutional democracy. Despite the provision of one-third reservation for women in village, block, and district levels of panchayat governance, men continue to dominate the actual power. This phenomenon, known as “sarpanch-patism,” hampers the progress intended by the Seventy-Third Constitution Amendment Act, 1992.

During the hearing, the court emphasized that it cannot judicially create the necessary spirit and asked whether the NGO had approached government departments with their concerns. The court stated that it is not within its purview to solve the issue and recommended that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj address the grievances and explore better mechanisms to implement the reservation objectives.

The NGO suggested the formation of an expert committee to examine the issue and emphasized the importance of providing the right support mechanism for women. However, the court maintained that it is the Ministry’s responsibility to consider these matters.