Rajasthan Village Panchayat Imposes Smartphone Ban for Women, Only Keypad Phones Allowed

Jaipur: At a time when much of the world is moving towards 6G technology, women in parts of Rajasthan are being asked to give up smartphones. In 15 villages of Jalore district, women have been instructed to use only keypad mobile phones. The decision was taken by the Sundhamata Patti panchayat, a region predominantly inhabited by the Chaudhary community, which announced a ban on smartphones for women and girls.

The panchayat claims the move is driven by concerns over mobile phone addiction and the impact of screen use on children’s eyesight. The ban will come into effect from January 26, after which women will be permitted to use only basic phones without internet or camera facilities. The panchayat has also instructed that mobile phones should not be carried to public gatherings, such as wedding functions.

Videos from the village explaining the decision have gone viral on social media. In the video, the reasoning behind the ban is explained as follows:

Women do not need mobile phones with cameras; they should carry phones meant only for making calls.

Girls who use phones for educational purposes should not bring them outside their homes.

The panchayat believes that imposing such a rule has become “absolutely necessary.”

Village leaders further argued that when women own mobile phones, children tend to use them more frequently, which they claim could damage children’s eyesight. Hence, according to them, controlling mobile phone usage is essential.

The resolution was passed during a panchayat meeting held on Sunday in Gasipur village, chaired by Sujanram Chaudhary, president of the 14 Patti community. The decision will be implemented in villages including Gasipur, Pavali, Kalda, Manojiyawas, Rajikawas, Dattalawas, Rajpura, Kodi, Sidrodi, Aldi, Ropsi, Khanadeval, Savidhar, Hatmi Ki Dhani, and Khanpur in the Bhinmal region.