The Holy Panchayat is a story written by Indian writer, Premchand. The story was originally published in 2021. The story revolves around a life of two best friends from rural village. The Holy Panchayat is also know by name Panch Parmeshwar.
The Holy Panchayat By Premchand Summary
Summary of The Holy Panchayat By Premchand
Premchand’s “The Holy Panchayat” story begins with two major character, Algu Chaudhary and Jumman Sheikh. They both are best friends since childhood but belongs to different religion. Algu and Jumman have nothing in common between them but they love and trust each other.
They are from different religion but very connected to each other mentally and emotionally. Whenever Jumman goes on Haj, he ask Algu to look after his house as he is the only person to whome he trust the most. On the other side, whenever Algu goes out from home, he gives all his home responsibility to Jumman.
As the story progresses it introduces new character, Jumman’s aunt who is very old in age and has good amount of property. She is ready to give all her property to Jumman but has one condition that Jumman has to look after her as she is alone in family. Jumman agrees to her condition and starts looking after her. Jumman’s Aunt has gave all her property to Jumman and he has started taking her care.
Jumman and his wife, Kariman taking good care of their Aunt and it went well for few months. But after some time, Jumman’s wife and Aunt ends up fighting with each other. They fight because Jumman’s wife gives food to Aunt though but without clarified butter. She doesn’t behave with her properly and whatever Aunt ask her to do, she ignores her.
On the other hand, Jumman’s wife, Kariman tells that she is taking good care of Aunt but she is jealous of her. Jumman’s Aunt tolerate Kariman’s behavior for some time but later on she decide to take her money back from Jumman.
When old Aunt ask for money from Kariman, she replied that money doesn’t grow on tree. Jumman’s Aunt replied to Kariman, I know that but I need only few money to take care of myself. But still Kariman doesn’t give any money to Aunt.
Thereafter, Jumman’s Aunt decide to take help from Panchayat as Jumman and his wife are neither taking her care properly and nor giving her money back. Jumman smiles to his Aunt and tells her to go anywhere she want, because he believe Panchayat would take his side only.
The old woman believe that she will get justice from Panchayat for sure. Firstly, Jumman’s Aunt goes to Aglu Chaudhary and tells him everything. Algu knows that his friend, Jumman is wrong here so he decide to stay away from the matter.
As the Panchayat starts, the old Aunt tells her case to Panchayat members, that she is very weak, poor and widow who has no one to look after. She believes that Panchayat will give her justice though Jumman has many friends in village who supports him.
She also has a fear that few members of Panchayat may do partiality with her. The writer says that Panchayat members had a very important role in village in providing justice to the poor people who could not afford city expensive laws.
The twist in the story comes when Algu Chaudhary become Sarpanch which gives confidence to Jumman. Jumman is very confident that he would win the case for sure as his best friend is Sarpanch today.
But Algu takes judgement on the favour of old aunt and now Jumman has to give her land and money back to her. Algu’s decision shocked Jumman and they become enemies from best friends. Jumman believe that Algu betrayed him while Algu believe he just did his duty with honesty.
The story now features new character, Samju Sahu, a village Cart driver. Algu purchased a pair of bull and one of them died. Algu has a doubt on Jumman that maybe he poisoned bull in jealousy. As Algu has only one bull who is useless so he decide to sell him. Samju Sahu purchased bull from Algu and promised him that he will give him money within a month.
Samju Sahu pressurized bull so much that he died within a month. He used bull like a machine due to which he died. One day at evening, when Samju was sleeping, Bull fall down on road and died.
When Samju Wake up in morning, he saw that his belongings have been robbed and bull is dead. Samju blame Algu that he gave him weak bull and that’s why he died. Algu demands money from Samju but he denied to give him money.
Algu and Jumman’s case matter goes to Panchayat, and Jumman as Sarpanch is handling their case. As the Jumman sit on seat of Sarpanch, he feel that he should handle this case as Sarpanch not as enemy of friend. He take judgement in the favour of Algu and tells Samju to give money to Algu. Thereafter, villagers appreciate Jumman for his work as he solved the case with honesty. At the end of story, Jumman realize his mistake and become friend with Aglu again.