Question

In this photo, you can see some Gond village leaders chairing a meeting to settle a dispute. What are the leaders called? What processes do they follow in deciding upon a case?

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Name of the Gond village leaders
• The process of deciding a case
• The other functions of the village leaders

Solution:

• The Gond village leaders are called the Gond Panch. They are the council of adult male elders of the Village.
• The process of deciding a case.
• When a dispute involves people from many villages then the council of all the villages concerned will meet in a joint panchayat.
• After a dispute is presented, the Panch first aim to get the facts of the case. The two parties are allowed to make detailed presentations of their points of view.
• Then some elder members of the community cross-question them to ascertain the actual facts and also ask witnesses of the case to give their evidence.
• After this the Panch discusses the provisions of the traditional customs of the Gonds and considers the decisions in previous cases of a similar kind.
• Importance is given to arriving at a solution that is acceptable to both parties. When all aspects of the case have been debated one of the senior members proposes a settlement.
• However, this doesn’t mean a final decision, as the person affected may want some change. After hearing his or her response the panch takes a final decision.

The other functions of the Village leaders:

• Fixing the dates of major festivals.
• Permissions for marriages or divorces.
• Setting down norms for marriages or death rites and settling disputes.
• The Panch can also impose fines and may even outcaste a person from the village and family.