Recasting Citizenship for Development - File UPI

The Sangha Mané 311
In Agasanahalli, the Kurubaru and Malagaru gloated over the death
of the sangha leader. They felt that the sangha women were being
over-ambitious. This is a multi-caste sangha. The larger community
was of the view that sangha formation is relevant only for the lower
castes and that women from the upper castes were demeaning themselves
by getting involved in this work. The village Gowda and the
GP were supportive.
In Kudli, the villagers seem to hold the women in high regard, given
the nature of financial and physical support extended during construction
and the inauguration.
In Kurukunda, the villagers were initially scornful of the women’s
efforts. They felt vindicated when they discovered that poor quality
bricks were being used. ‘What kind of a structure have these women
constructed? They are like monkeys, if we hit their home it will
collapse.’ This spurred the women on as they were determined to
do something creditable, which would gain them accolades in the
future.
In Dotihalla, a few villagers did feel that the sangha women were
being over-ambitious, but there was a general atmosphere of
encouragement.
In Banikuppe (unicaste sangha), the villagers had a fairly good
opinion of the women and supported them during construction.
Thus, there is a direct correlation between the opinions of the larger
society, the time taken on construction and the type of structure that
finally emerged.
Usage and Maintenance of the Sangha Mané
It is apparent that the sangha mané has played a critical role in amplifying
the sangha activities. The women have been able to continue with the
existing programmes. In nearly all the villages, they have succeeded in
expanding their activities. Table 14.3 focuses on the additional programmes
that the women have been able to engage in due to the existence
of the physical structure. Across the villages, there is a diversity of activities
in the different sangha manés, and there are some activities that are common
to all the villages. In all the villages, the women claimed that violence
against women has decreased because the women threaten to walk out