This could be a trendsetting judgment. On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld a Haryana State law that only those with minimum levels of education can contest panchayat elections. For general candidates the prescribed level is matriculation, for women or those belonging to Schedules castes it is Class 8.

Although women activists argue that this ruling will make 68 per cent of the Scheduled Caste women in the State ineligible to contest the civic polls, it’s a pretty sound ruling. Indeed, it should be adopted by other States as well, and perhaps extended to State and general elections.

Given that 33 per cent of seats in panchayat elections are reserved for women in most States, the fears that it will be hard to find eligible candidates may be correct. But, it will prevent women from being used as rubber stamps, as we have seen happening.

The three women who had moved the Supreme Court arguing that “people do not choose to be illiterate” have a point. Agreed, common sense is sometimes far better than academic learning — especially in governance. On the other hand, how will elected representatives ink directives if they cannot read? What’s the guarantee that things read out to them for their thumbprints are right? To discharge electoral responsibilities, it is important to be lettered.

Some of the other qualification norms to contest the Haryana panchayati raj elections are pretty interesting too. Candidates who have failed to pay electricity bill arrears, or arrears to agriculture cooperative societies will be disqualified. As will those who do not have a functional toilet at home. Again, there is a hue and cry about discrimination against the poor and indebted, but as the court notes, contesting elections are an expensive affair and it’s rare that such an impoverished person who cannot even pay electricity bills will contest. Given the sad state of our local bodies, it’s high time reforms were introduced. Laying down yardsticks on who can contest elections is a start.

Editorial Consultant

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