Here, Hindu-Muslim sarpanch switch bypasses polls
2
Ahmedabad: While 8,329 villages in Gujarat held gram panchayat elections on Sunday, Gathaman village in Palanpur taluka of Banaskantha district followed a different path. The village of about 10,000 residents unanimously chose Imran Patel as their new sarpanch without casting a single vote, continuing a tradition maintained since Independence.
Gathaman operates on a unique system, where the sarpanch position alternates between the Hindu and Muslim communities every term through mutual agreement. Thisarrangement was established by village elders to prevent communal tensions and maintain harmony among the diverse population.
The population of Gathaman mainly comprises Thakor and Muslim community members, who together form about half of the village.
The remaining residents are from communities such as Prajapati, Suthar, Dalit and Darbar. Former sarpanch Kunwarji Thakor said that leadership usually rotates between the Thakor and Muslim communities, but the 12-member panchayat includes representatives from all groups.
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Sakir Malpara, a businessman and social worker from Gathaman, said, "If the sarpanch is from the Hindu community, then the deputy sarpanch is a Muslim and vice versa."
He said that while leadership rotation primarily involves the Hindu Thakor and Muslim communities due to their larger numbers, smaller communities like Dalits typically hold panchayat membership positions.
The consensus-based system has occasionally faced questions from younger villagers who have often suggested holding elections. However, village elders address these concerns through discussions in temples and mosques and convince them to stick to the traditional method.
Malpara says that this approach maintains village unity. "We do not follow the election route. We choose leaders through consensus and understanding. The system helps maintain peace and keeps everyone together."
As counting for the gram panchayat elections begins on Wednesday across Gujarat's villages, Gathaman shows how its time-honoured rotation system continues to ensure harmony and peace in the village.
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