Pali ki Panchayati:Uniqueness of the Panchayat debates at the Sarafa Bazaar

 Whether it's the phase of elections or no elections, each evening the locals gather at the Pali ki Panchayati, near Sarafa Bazaar to have their hot bujias, kulhad tea and season it with some gossip. It goes from usual to something serious, filled with humour and wit, the discussions keep revolving just around anything, and about anybody. However, with the election season being on a stretch, most of the chatter among the young and the old veers of politics..

Sajjan Lal Jain who is a regular to these evening gatherings. He makes it to the panchayati without fail. Jain and others were arguing whether or not a second consecutive term will be helpful for  the present government or not.

“Ek baar Congress ek baar BJP se bhalo nei ho riya hai (alternative power sharing is doing no good),” he said, as he was insisting that any government should be given a minimum term of 10 years. He was later interrupted by Nathmal Kothari, a jeweller, who said, “If that is the case why Ashok Gehlot-led government was voted out in 2013. He had done many good things in the state.’’ 

Ratan Daga, who owns a bhujiya shop in the bazaar, joined the conversation with hot bhujia. They discuss everything, from the performance of the BJP candidate to who would be the next chief minister if the Congress wins.

Pali ki Panchayati has been held for several years now. According to the locals, despite similar social gatherings are held at other places, they love to spend time spent at the bazaar. “We have our loyalties towards different parties and candidates. We disagree over several things and even land up shouting at each other but at the end of the day, we are friends. If you wish to see democracy, you must see us,” says Ramesh Chand Kapadia, another local.

Similar discussion platforms are also being held at the neighbouring district of Jodhpur. Jodhpur ki Kathayen, where people keep coming regularly and discuss about every contemporary issue that includes how India should be dealing with terrorism, and also the latest speeches, which lead to the comments of AICC president Rahul Gandhi and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But Pali ki Panchayati is still quite unique for the way it is.