On October 17, the director — local body, the urban development department of Uttar Pradesh (DLB UP), issued a circular prohibiting councillor patis from participating in formal meetings as proxy representatives for their wives. Councillor patis — or sarpanch patis — refers to husbands or other male relatives of elected women representatives who wrongfully wield power on the latter’s behalf, engaging with citizens and attending meetings as if they were the elected official. This practice fundamentally undermines women’s representation in policymaking.

The DLB UP’s circular is a significant move with an interesting backstory, brought to light by the department’s transparency. A former member of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The complaint referred to a July 2023 Supreme Court order on a writ petition by an NGO, in which the court expressed concern over husbands and male relatives of elected women leaders misusing the women’s official positions in panchayati raj institutions (PRIs).

In a proactive move, the NHRC wrote to the principal secretaries of urban development departments of all states, urging them to verify the prevalence of this practice. The commission also emphasised the need to preserve the integrity of women’s representation in governance and........

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