At a time when caste politics continues to divide society, a significant social initiative has emerged from Maharashtra, where Soundala village has officially declared itself a caste-free village.
Located in Nevasa taluka of Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar), the village adopted the guiding principle “Amchi jaat…manav” (My caste is humanity) through a unanimous resolution passed in the gram sabha meeting held on February 5. The village claims to be the first caste-free village not only in the state but possibly in the country.
Village sarpanch Sharad Argade said the resolution received unanimous support from residents belonging to different castes as well as members of the Muslim community. The resolution invokes the Constitution of India and highlights the values of liberty, equality and fraternity, stating that villagers will not follow caste-based practices and will instead uphold the principle of humanity.
The resolution also provides for penalties against actions that violate constitutional values or promote caste-based discrimination.
The initiative was taken under the guidance of social worker Pramod Zinjade, founder-president of the Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal, who has long campaigned for the eradication of caste-based practices. Speaking from Solapur, Zinjade said he believes humanity is the greatest caste and religion, and added that nearly a dozen other villages are now working toward similar resolutions, with a meeting of sarpanchs planned in April to expand the initiative.
Soundala has earlier passed several progressive resolutions, including those promoting gender sensitivity, banning child marriage, allowing remarriage of widowed women, taking action against domestic violence and dowry practices, encouraging girls’ education, and increasing women’s participation in the political process.
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