State Women’s Commission Directs Stringent Action Against Inhumane Practice
Pune : The historic village of Roti in Daund Taluka, situated along the Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Highway, has come under intense legal scrutiny due to a centuries-old ritual. At the local Shri Rotmalnath Temple, a traditional practice known as ‘Javal’ dictates that if a woman gives birth to a son, she must undergo a complete tonsuring of her head as an offering. This deep-rooted custom has now sparked a major controversy, leading the Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, Rupali Chakankar, to categorize the ritual as both evil and inhumane. Consequently, she has issued formal directives to the Pune District Collector to ensure the immediate cessation of this practice and to initiate strict legal action against those responsible.
Allegations of Forced Rituals and Violation of Women’s Rights
While the Shri Rotmalnath Temple is widely revered as a sacred site, recent reports submitted to the State Women’s Commission suggest that the tradition is no longer merely voluntary. A formal complaint lodged by Devayani Sameer More highlighted that many women are being forcibly subjected to head-shaving against their will. The Commission observed that disfiguring women under the guise of religious tradition and exerting mental pressure on them constitutes a grave injustice. It further noted that many mothers are compelled to undergo this ritual due to overwhelming familial and social pressure, which directly violates their constitutional right to live with dignity and self-respect.
Decisive Mandates Issued to the District Administration
Exercising the powers vested under the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission Act of 1993, Chairperson Rupali Chakankar has demanded a comprehensive response from the district authorities. The administration has been ordered to conduct an immediate local-level inquiry and issue stern warnings to the temple management and related individuals to prevent any further forced tonsuring. Furthermore, the Commission has directed that legal protection be provided to any woman currently facing pressure to comply with this custom. A factual report detailing the actions taken by the administration is required to be submitted to the Commission within seven days. This move has raised significant questions about whether this ancestral tradition will finally come to an end and if the temple trustees will face criminal charges for their role in its continuation.
