History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c96.s2.40

v7.c96.s2.40

Article 40 of the Constitution calls upon the State to organize village Panchayats and to endow them with the powers and authority necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government In ancient and medieval times, village Panchayats played an important part Under the British this system (which trained people in democratic functions on a small scale) was practically done away with Now after about two hundred years the present Government wants to revive Panchayats. In the different States of India village Panchayat Acts have been passed Until a large percentage of villagers become educated, self-reliant and men of character, the village Panchayats cannot function as the foundations of real democracy. It is very likely that either the dominant castes or the leading families or the bullies (*gundas*) in the village will captura the village Panchayats and use them for their own benefit A recent book 'Panchayt-i-raj' by Shri S. A. Dey (published by Asia Publishing House, 1961) paints a very roseate picture of Panchayats functioning in the 550 thousand villages of India. It all depends on disinterested workers of high character, otherwise this project will meet the same fate that overtook Brayne's work in Gurgaon after Brayne left.