A Ceremony, a Controversy, and a Viral Video
In March 2023, a quiet village in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh became the center of a national debate about gender equality and representation. During a ceremony to mark the formation of a new local government, or panchayat, a group of 12 men gathered to take their oaths of office. What made this moment controversial was that six of the elected leaders were women—yet none of them were present. Instead, their husbands stood in their place, reciting the oaths on their behalf. The video of this ceremony, which quickly went viral, highlighted a systemic issue in rural India: the erasure of women’s political participation, even when they are formally elected to lead. The incident coincided with International Women’s Day, adding fuel to the fire of public outrage and sparking conversations about the persistent challenges women face in exercising their political rights.
The Law of the Land: A Promise Unfulfilled
The roots of this problem lie in India’s well-intentioned but poorly enforced laws. Since 1992, the Indian government has mandated that one-third of all panchayat seats be reserved for women, with the goal of empowering women at the grassroots level and ensuring their voices are heard in local decision-making. This policy was a groundbreaking step toward gender equality, aiming to create a pipeline of female leaders who could eventually rise to higher levels of politics. However, the spirit of the law has often been disregarded. In many cases, women who are elected to these reserved seats do not wield actual power; instead, their husbands or male relatives act as proxies, controlling decisions behind the scenes. This practice, known as “proxy participation,” undermines the very purpose of the law and perpetuates gender inequality in rural governance.
The phenomenon is so common that it has even been immortalized in popular culture. A widely watched Amazon Prime series called “Panchayat” features a storyline where a woman is officially elected to a village council, but her husband effectively runs the show. The show’s portrayal of this dynamic resonated with viewers because it mirrored the reality they saw in villages across India. The fictional story offered a twist, however, as the wife gradually asserted her authority and proved herself to be a capable leader. This narrative reflects both the challenges and the potential for change in real life.
Gender Imbalance in National Politics
India’s problem with gender representation extends far beyond rural panchayats. At the national level, women remain woefully underrepresented in positions of power. Only about 15% of members of Parliament are women, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 30-person cabinet includes just two female ministers. The imbalance is striking, given the country’s size and diversity, and it raises questions about whether women’s perspectives are being adequately represented in policy-making. While some women have risen to prominence in national politics, their paths to power often depend on ties to male politicians—fathers, husbands, or other family members—rather than their own merits. This reinforces the notion that women’s leadership is conditional and dependent on male approval, even in the highest echelons of power.
To address this disparity, the Indian government recently approved a constitutional amendment to reserve one-third of all parliamentary seats for women. This landmark decision was a major step forward, but it will not take effect for at least another four years. Critics argue that delay undermines the urgency of the issue and leaves women without a seat at the table for crucial decision-making in the interim. While the amendment represents progress, its implementation will require more than just legal reforms; it will demand a cultural shift to recognize women as equal and capable leaders in their own right.
The Role of Media in Highlighting the Issue
The viral video from Paraswara village and the widespread media coverage that followed have played a significant role in bringing the issue of proxy participation to the forefront of public discourse. Reporters from national newspapers flocked to the village to uncover the story, and the incident became a symbol of the broader struggle for gender equality in India. The timing of the video, coinciding with International Women’s Day, added to its symbolic weight and ensured that the conversation reached a wider audience. The media’s focus on Paraswara also highlighted the persistence of patriarchy in rural India, where traditional norms often overshadow legal protections for women.
In addition to journalism, popular culture has played a role in amplifying the issue. The Amazon Prime series “Panchayat” has become a cultural touchstone, offering both a critique of gender inequality and a vision of how things could change. The show’s producers are now collaborating with the government on episodes subtitled “Who’s the Real Boss?,” which aim to challenge stereotypes and inspire women to assert their authority. By blending entertainment with education, the series has helped to normalize the idea of women in leadership roles and to question the assumption that men must always be in charge.
Steps Toward Change: Government and Grassroots Efforts
In response to the Paraswara incident and the broader issue of proxy participation, the Indian government has taken steps to address the problem. In 2023, it commissioned a report aimed at eliminating proxy participation and ensuring that women’s legal rights are fully realized. More recently, it proposed introducing “exemplary penalties” for husbands who usurp their wives’ roles in local government. These measures acknowledge the systemic barriers that prevent women from exercising their authority and signal a commitment to enforcing the spirit of the law, not just its letter.
Grassroots efforts are also playing a crucial role in driving change. In villages across India, women are beginning to challenge traditional norms and assert their leadership. These efforts are often met with resistance, as entrenched patriarchal attitudes are difficult to overcome. However, the stories of women who have successfully navigated these obstacles offer hope and inspiration. They demonstrate that change is possible when women are supported and empowered to take their rightful places as leaders.
Women Leading Change: Stories of Empowerment
One such story of empowerment comes from Sheshandeep Kaur Sidhu, a young woman from the state of Punjab. At just 22 years old, Ms. Sidhu became the head of her village’s panchayat, a position she won in one of the seats reserved for women. Despite her youth and the skepticism of some villagers, she proved herself to be a capable and determined leader. Ms. Sidhu focused on addressing pressing issues in her community, such as improving education and sanitation, and she encouraged other women to stand up for their rights and interests. Her journey was not without challenges; she faced resistance from those who doubted her ability to lead because of her gender. Yet she remained resolute, convinced that women must be “headstrong” and unafraid to voice their opinions.
Ms. Sidhu’s efforts extended beyond policy-making. She also sought to challenge cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality. In her village, she made it a priority to install nameplates outside the homes of women who were the primary caregivers or earners in their families. These households had previously been identified only by the names of male relatives, even if those men were deceased or no longer present. By changing this practice, Ms. Sidhu aimed to visibly affirm the contributions and authority of women in her community. Her initiatives have inspired others to follow in her footsteps, proving that individual actions can collectively lead to systemic change.
Conclusion: The Path to True Equality
The incident in Paraswara village and the broader issue of proxy participation in India’s panchayats highlight the long and winding road to gender equality. While laws like the reservation of seats for women are important steps forward, they are only part of the solution. True equality requires a cultural shift—one that values women’s leadership and challenges the deep-seated beliefs that men must always be in charge. The stories of women like Sheshandeep Kaur Sidhu and the fictional but powerful narrative of “Panchayat” remind us that change is possible when women are given the opportunity to lead and when society supports them in their efforts.
The journey toward equality will undoubtedly face setbacks, but the progress made so far offers reason for optimism. As more women like Ms. Sidhu step into leadership roles and demand to be heard, they pave the way for future generations. Their stories show that women are not just passive beneficiaries of policies but active agents of change. The real bosses, as the “Panchayat” series suggests, are often the women who have been quietly assertive and determined to make their mark. With persistence and support, they can transform not only their villages but the entire nation.
