₹500 fine for bad words: How one village is changing behaviour with a simple rule

Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh): Imagine being fined ₹500 or asked to clean your village for using abusive language. That’s exactly what residents of Borsar village are experiencing after a unique rule was introduced to promote respectful behaviour.

The village panchayat has made it clear: use abusive language, and you either pay a fine or do one hour of cleaning work.

The decision was taken unanimously by the Gram Panchayat, with posters now displayed across the village to spread awareness. The goal is straightforward, reduce verbal abuse and create a more respectful environment.

Deputy Sarpanch Vinod Shinde explained why the move was necessary.

“Earlier, people frequently used offensive words, including remarks targeting mothers and sisters. Now, anyone found doing so must either pay a fine of Rs 500 or perform one hour of cleaning work in the village,” he said.

For many villagers, the change is already visible.

A resident, Jayshree, shared how the atmosphere has improved, “Now, people avoid using abusive language because there is a clear penalty. Earlier, children would use such words without understanding their seriousness, despite repeated warnings from parents.”

The rule is not just about punishment, it’s about changing habits, especially among younger people.

How the idea started

The initiative, called ‘Abuse-Free Village’, was proposed by local youth Ashwin Patil, who noticed a worrying trend.

Children as young as 12–13 were casually using abusive language, often leading to unnecessary conflicts.

He explained how the idea took shape, “All of us have taken a pledge to this effect, and a formal circular regarding this initiative has also been issued by the Panchayat.”

 After discussions with village leaders, the proposal was officially adopted, making Borsar one of the first villages in the state to take such a step. 

With IANS inputs