Fair Play

The Sacred Friendship: Jumman Shaikh and Algu Chowdhry were deeply bonded. When either was absent from the village, the other looked after his family.

The Conflict: Jumman had an old maternal aunt who owned a small piece of land. She transferred the property to Jumman on the understanding that he would care for her until death. For a couple of years, all went smoothly. But soon, Jumman's wife, Kariman, began grudging the small food rations given to the old lady, insulting her daily. After tolerating humiliation for months, the aunt asked Jumman for a small monthly allowance to run her separate kitchen. Jumman arrogantly refused, saying money didn't grow on trees.

The Village Panchayat: The aunt went from villager to villager seeking support, finally approaching Algu. Though torn by friendship, Algu attended. At the Panchayat held beneath a banyan tree, the aunt nominated Algu as head Panch. Algu faced a grueling moral dilemma: friendship with Jumman versus absolute justice. After cross-examining Jumman, Algu delivered his verdict: Jumman must pay his aunt a monthly allowance or transfer the property back to her. Stunned and bitter, Jumman became Algu's sworn enemy.

Algu's Misfortune: A tight spot arose for Algu. One of his prize pair of bullocks died, and he sold the remaining healthy bullock to Samjhu Sahu, a cart driver, on the condition that Sahu pay the price within a month.

Cruelty and Death: Sahu overworked the poor beast, loading it with heavy bags of ghee and salt, driving it four to five trips a day without proper food or water. Within a month, the exhausted bullock collapsed and died on the road.

The Counter-Panchayat: When Algu later asked for his money, Sahu and his wife violently refused, claiming Algu had sold them a diseased beast. Desperate, Algu called a Panchayat. Sahu arrogantly proposed Jumman Shaikh as the head Panch, confident that Jumman would take revenge on Algu.

The Sacred Seat of Justice: The moment Jumman sat on the high seat of the Sarpanch, the weight of divine responsibility descended upon him. He realized that as a judge, he had neither friend nor foe, only truth. Jumman examined the facts objectively: when Sahu bought the bullock, it suffered from no disability or disease; it died solely due to cruel overwork and lack of feed. Jumman pronounced the verdict: Samjhu Sahu must pay Algu the full price of the bullock!

Reconciliation: Algu wept with joy, shouting: "Victory to the Panchayat! This is justice. God lives in the voice of the Panch!" Jumman embraced Algu, admitting that only when he occupied the seat himself did he understand that a judge belongs to no one except the truth. Their friendship was resurrected on a deeper foundation of integrity.

Key Vocabulary

• Nominate: To propose or choose someone formally for a position.
• Grudge: To give or allow reluctantly or resentfully.
• Verdict: An authoritative decision or judgment rendered by a court or jury.
• Panchayat: A traditional council of five elders governing an Indian village.
• Conscience: The inner sense of right and wrong that guides one's behavior.