The power of the pati

Some believe that the “sarpanchpati” (sarpanch’s husband) does not exist as a tribe. They are wrong. These characters, who ga...

int(2)

Some believe that the “sarpanchpati” (sarpanch’s husband) does not exist as a tribe. They are wrong. These characters, who gain power by being husband to the sarpanch, can exercise great authority at the village level.

The sarpanchpati, or ‘SP’ as he’s known, handles every function on his wife’s behalf. Typically this gentleman is fairly educated and extremely articulate. Either an ex-sarpanch himself, or a lower-level government official, it is the ‘SP’ who often handles funds, monitors development works and mid-day meals, holds gram sabhas, besides of course escorting the sarpanch to official meetings at the district headquarters.

For over two years now I have, as an Express correspondent, travelled to some of the most backward panchayats in Chhattisgarh. Everywhere one comes across the sarpanchpati. Recently I met one at Chandibhona, a remote village about 160 km from Raipur. I had gone there for the shocking story of how one school had served a mid-day meal laced with alcohol and bhang.

Story continues below this ad

That’s when I came across Nilambar, a semi-literate influential farmer in Chandibhora village, in Saraipali block. I landed up at the school after walking a good way and crossing a swollen river. Within minutes of my arrival, Nilambar was on the scene. Perhaps he had advance information about a team of journalists chasing the story. I asked someone where the sarpanch was. Nilambar walked up to me saying, “Yes, here I am. Anything I can do?” “But, I was told this panchayat had a woman sarpanch,” I shot back. Nilambar smoothly replied:”That’s true but actually I handle everything. She is not educated and is very shy, knows nothing about panchayat affairs. She just signs the papers.” The villagers who had gathered nodded in endorsement.

“But this is illegal, you know,” I told him. He was not fazed. “Sab chala hai, sahib! (this happens everywhere),” he smiled. To legitimise his right, he explained, “I am her husband, I can discharge her duties. She has nominated me as her pratinidhi (representative).”

Speaking to villagers gave me further insights into the phenomenon. It seems that it is not Nilambar alone who exercises this authority. His father, too, steps in sometimes. A gram sabha held two days after the school served the mid-day meal laced with alcohol and bhang was presided over by the sarpanch’s father-in-law. Two school teachers, including an alcoholic headmaster — who were suspended after a magisterial

inquiry confirmed the allegations against them — were given a clean chit by the gram sabha.

Story continues below this ad

When I caught up with Sarpanch Bimlabai later, she had nothing to say. “Didn’t I tell you?” crowed her husband, “She has no knowledge of anything.” Incidentally, Bimlabai had been a sarpanch of this village for the past five years. When panchayat elections come around again later this year, have no doubt that Nilambar will be sarpanchpati for another term.