Saundala village of Maharashtra, where there is neither Dalit nor upper caste; Why is a unique proposal to break the caste wall in discussion?

Maharashtra News: Maharashtra Saundala village, located about 60 km from Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), passed a unique resolution in the Gram Sabha on 5 February. Declaring itself ‘caste-free’, the village has pledged to eliminate any kind of discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, creed or ethnicity, reports Indian Express.

The resolution passed in the Gram Panchayat office states that there will be no discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, creed or race in Saundala. All the residents of the village will be equal and the feeling of humanity will be adopted towards any person.

What else is on offer?

Under this proposal, public places, government services, water sources, temples, crematoriums, schools and public programs will be open to all. Besides, it has also been said that action will be taken against social media posts spreading caste tension in the village.

Effect visible in children

The children preparing for the fifth class scholarship exam outside the village temple present an example of this change. “There was a Hindu religious lesson last week,” said Gauri Bhand, a student, pointing to her friend Mahira Syed. “She is a Muslim, but she also ate with us during the festival.”

What did the school teacher say on discrimination?

Village teacher Ashok Pandit says that before the examination, all the students, irrespective of religion, bow their heads at the two temples located in front of the school. He says that there is no discrimination among the children, but they will go out for further studies, where they may have to face hatred. Therefore, efforts are being made to end discrimination at the school level itself.

People of which religion and caste live in the village?

According to Sarpanch Sharad Argade, the population of the village is around 2,500. About 65% people are from Maratha community (general category). About 20% of the population belongs to Scheduled Caste (SC), out of which 15-20 families follow Christianity. Three Muslim families also live in the village.

Argade says that no case of atrocities has been registered in the village in the last 10 years. He said that this proposal is a precautionary step. The kind of hatred and division that is spreading in the society, we do not want it to reach our village.

Other decisions of Saundala village which are becoming an example?

Saundala has also become an example for his past decisions. In September 2024, the Gram Sabha had passed a proposal to provide assistance of Rs 11,000 for widow remarriage. In November 2024, abuses that insult women were banned and so far 13 people have been fined Rs 500 each.

How is this village in education?

The Zilla Parishad (ZP) school of Soundala is in good condition unlike many dilapidated government schools in the state. Smart screens have been installed in the classrooms. In the last two years, the Gram Panchayat has given assistance of Rs 20-25 lakh to the school. More than 190 students study in the school and children from nearby villages also come here.