Jalore Panchayat Bans Women's Smartphones

A village panchayat in District, India — Rajasthan, has imposed sweeping restrictions on mobile phone use for daughters-in-law and young women across 15 villages. Starting January 26, women will be permitted to use only basic keypad phones, effectively banning smartphones. The decision was made during a meeting of the Chaudhary community in India — Gazipur, Jalore, chaired by Sujnaram Chaudhary. Panch Himmataram announced the decision, citing concerns over children's eyesight due to excessive mobile phone use and a desire for social discipline. The ban prohibits carrying mobile phones to public functions, weddings, social events, or even a neighbor's house. School-going girls may use smartphones for educational purposes only at home. The decision has sparked debate regarding personal freedoms, gender roles, and the reach of local bodies in regulating daily life, especially in a country like India that is pushing digital literacy.