The Village Judge

Jumman Sheikh, Algu Chaudhuri and Jumman's old aunt. Before transferring her property, Jumman and his wife treated her with kindness and respect; after the transfer they became harsh and rude.

She decided to call a panchayat and finally went to Algu. He first refused, but her words — 'Will you fear to say the honest thing because of a quarrel?' — kept echoing in his heart.

Algu was chosen as panch by the aunt. He changed his mind because of the aunt's words about conscience and honesty ('God lives in the heart of the panch'). Judgement: Jumman must pay a monthly allowance to the aunt, or return the property.

It broke their friendship. Jumman, feeling betrayed, began to plan revenge. When one of Algu's bullocks died, Algu suspected Jumman had poisoned it.

Samjhoo Sahu bought it to make more trips to town, promising to pay in a month. He overworked it without food or water, and within a month it died.

Sahuji refused to pay. A second panchayat met; Sahu chose Jumman as panch (hoping for revenge). But Jumman, realising 'whatever I say is the voice of God', gave an honest judgement in favour of Algu (Sahu must pay).

Both judges rose above personal feelings to give honest decisions — so it seemed the 'work of God'. Jumman's judgement (for his 'enemy' Algu) surprises more. Then Jumman embraced Algu — friendship was restored. The theme 'God speaks through the panch' shines; Algu (and Jumman as judge) are the most admirable.

Because Jumman and his wife mistreated her after taking her property and refused her a monthly allowance.

Algu, chosen as panch, judged honestly that Jumman must pay her an allowance or return her property.

Sahuji overworked it without proper food and water, so it died within a month.

Because Sahuji refused to pay Algu the price of the dead bullock.

Jumman's honest judgement in Algu's favour proved that a true panch speaks the voice of God; moved by this, they embraced and made up.

The central message is that when a person sits as a panch (judge), he must give an honest, impartial verdict, rising above friendship and enmity — for 'God speaks through the panch'. Both Algu and Jumman, though personally involved, delivered just decisions, showing the sanctity of the panch's office.

In the first, Algu judged against his friend Jumman, in favour of the aunt. In the second, Jumman judged against his own wish for revenge, in favour of his 'enemy' Algu. Both put justice above personal feelings — the two unexpected verdicts restored their friendship.

Algu is honest, fair and conscientious. Though reluctant to judge against his friend, once he sits as panch he cannot betray his conscience and gives a just verdict. He is truthful and forgiving, embracing Jumman when their friendship is restored.

ଭତ୍ତା।

panch.