Maharashtra women's commission has had no chairperson or six members for over seven months

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has been without a chairperson and six members for more than seven months. Despite repeated demands, the government has not announced a new chairperson, nor has it constituted the commission at full strength. This raises questions about the government's commitment to women's safety and the functioning of the statutory body.

Domestic violence, harassment, dowry demands and other crimes against women continue to come to light in the state, even as the post lies vacant. The recent death of Payal Zambare, 34, of Pune has brought the issue into sharp focus.

Zambare was found dead at her home in Mukund Nagar on November 2. Her family has alleged that her husband and in-laws subjected her to physical and mental harassment over demands for money and gold, and because she had given birth to a girl. Swargate police have registered a case under sections relating to abetment of suicide and cruelty, and under the Dowry Prohibition Act. Her husband and in-laws have been arrested, and the investigation is under way.

The chairperson's post has been vacant since March 20. Nationalist Congress Party leader Rupali Chakankar resigned that day, following a controversy linked to Ashok Kharat of Nashik. No one has yet been appointed in her place.

The commission is expected to have a chairperson, six members, a member-secretary and the Director General of Police as an ex-officio member. At present, only the secretary and the Director General of Police are in position. The commission plays an important role in handling complaints related to women's rights, harassment and discrimination. Concern is being expressed over how effectively complaints are being resolved without leadership.

National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar raised the issue during a visit to Pune in July. She said she had discussed it with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and had written to him. She had urged the government to appoint the chairperson and all members without delay. The appointments are still pending.

Social activist Trupti Desai criticised the delay. She said the commission should not become a platform for political appointments, and demanded that an independent woman social worker with no ties to any political party be made chairperson. Desai said, "There should be no politics in the State Commission for Women. A new chairperson should have been appointed immediately after Rupali Chakankar's resignation. This responsibility should not be given to any political leader or party office-bearer. Seven months have passed, and keeping such an important post vacant is a serious failure."

The names of Pratibha Shinde, Dr Jyoti Mete and some Nationalist Congress Party leaders are said to have been discussed, but no official announcement has been made. The post is believed to fall to the Nationalist Congress Party in the state's power-sharing arrangement, which gives the selection a political dimension.

Mukta Manohar, general secretary of the Pune Municipal Corporation employees' union and an activist with the Shramik Mahila Morcha, expressed anger. She said, "The State Commission for Women is largely inactive. It has come to a standstill because of political power games and delays in appointments, rather than any real wish to protect women." She added, "While crimes against women, molestation cases and issues such as child marriage are rising, the administration shows no sense of urgency. Leadership is not a tool for political bargaining; it needs committed, clean and sensitive leadership. Activists and citizens must now come together to question the government and demand credible appointments urgently."