<strong>Maharashtra government issues circular to end ill traditions related to widows</strong>

Bhubaneswar, May 19: Maharashtra  government is going to end up social traditions related to widows across the state. The Rural Development department has issued circulars to the Gram Panchayat authorities to banish the social customs through sensitization. According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the state rural development department held by the Minister, Hasan Mushrif issued a circular in this regard on Tuesday. In which,  Mushrif has asked gram sabhas in the state to follow the example of Herwad village in Kolhapur district to ban rituals of widowhood, contending that age-old practices should not have any place in an era of science. "The Herwad gram panchayat in Kolhapur banned rituals of widowhood by passing a resolution in that regard"now other gram panchayats (in the state) need to be encouraged," the statement quoted Mushrif as saying. "Old ill practices have no  place in a science-oriented era. Other gram panchayats in the state should also pass resolutions like the Herwad gram panchayat," he said. The state government in the circular asked all gram panchayats to undertake mass awareness initiatives to uphold the dignity of women who lose their husbands. The circular also stated that such ill social practices violate human rights and hurt dignity given to women by the Constitution and the need of the hour is to eradicate such customs. The Herwad gram panchayat in Shirol taluka of Kolhapur district passed a resolution on May 5 banning customs like removing a widow's mangalsutra, toe ring, wiping her sindoor (vermilion) and breaking her bangles as part of rituals handed down over time.Widows are also barred from attending social and religious functions, terming it indecent and harmful.