A village panchayat in Jalore district of Rajasthan has taken a decision that will restrict the use of smartphones by daughters-in-law and young women in 15 nearby villages. According to the decision, women in these villages will not be allowed to use mobile phones with cameras starting January 26. Instead, they will only be allowed to use keypad phones, which can be used mainly for calling.

The rule will not apply only inside homes. It will also be enforced during public gatherings, weddings, social events, and even when women visit their neighbours’ houses. This means women will not be allowed to carry smartphones or camera-enabled phones to these places.

The decision was announced during a meeting of the Chaudhary community held in Gazipur village. The meeting was led by Sujnaram Chaudhary, who is the president of the 14 pattis (local subdivisions) of the community. Speaking to news agency PTI, Sujnaram Chaudhary said the announcement was made by Panch Himmtaram after discussions among panchayat members and community elders.

According to Chaudhary, the panchayat decided that daughters-in-law and young women should use only keypad phones for making calls. The rule mainly targets smartphones and phones with cameras.

However, some exceptions have been mentioned. School-going girls will be allowed to use mobile phones at home for their studies, especially if they need them for online learning or school-related work. But even these girls will not be allowed to carry mobile phones to weddings, social functions, or while visiting neighbours.

The decision has drawn opposition and criticism, with many questioning why women are being restricted in this way. Responding to the criticism, Sujnaram Chaudhary explained the reason behind the move. He said the panchayat felt that children often use the mobile phones of women in the household, which could harm their eyesight.

Chaudhary further said that some women give their phones to children to keep them busy so they can complete their daily household work. According to him, the panchayat believes this habit may have a negative impact on children’s health and behaviour.

Despite these explanations, the decision has sparked debate about women’s freedom, digital access, and gender equality in rural areas. Many people feel such rules place unfair restrictions on women, while others in the community say the decision was taken for family welfare. The rule is expected to come into effect from January 26, and how it will be enforced remains to be seen.