Question

analysis of the story "god lives in the panch" by premchand

ICSE short stories

Answer 1

This idea has been well illustrated in the story. This story is a beautiful narration of justice thriving in human beings. It has described the philosophy of justice, which weighs friendship and any other relationships equally. Here it's Alagu who when sat on the seat of head of Panchayat, did not consider his friendship to come in the way of justice. So when, Jumman fights a case with his aunt, he is sure to win, as Alagu his childhood friend is the head of the Panch. But Alagu does otherwise keeping justice to be in it's highest position, and gives a fair decision by deciding in favour of Jumman's aunt, thus proving the theme that "Justice is Supreme".  

Jumman and Alagu are friends, and one day Jumman's maternal aunt calls for the Panch allegating Jumman about ill treatment and abuse. Jumman's aunt owned a property and had decided to write it in the name of Jumman if he took care of her. Before signing the deed she was treated very well, but after that she was abused and suffered indifference.
Alagu was appointed the head of the panch in the case, and he asked Jumman's aunt that the decision might be affected as Jumman was his childhood friend, but the lady trusted him. And when Alagu sat on the Panch's chair, the verdict came that Jumman would pay a monthly allowance to his aunt, and in case of nonpayment, the deed would be treated as null and void. Hence Alagu proved that Justice is above all. 

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Answer 2

God Lives in the Panch has a strong message for the reader which acclaims the justice system prevalent in Indian villages. Set in the backdrop of the British Raj, the story is a telling comment on the efficacy of Village Panchayat which resolved issues among the people without any bias or undue influence. The head of a panchayat called 'Sarpanch' rendered justice and while making a judgment he assumes the role of God, God who treats everyone equal and who gives his judgment righteously. Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhari are good friends. Jumman's aunt goes with a complaint to the Panchayat about Jumman's and his wife's ill-treatment towards her after she had transferred all her property in Jumman's name on the condition that he would look after her and provide her allowance. Poor aunt makes arduous efforts to ask for justice at Panchayat. Though Jumman and Alagu are good friends, Alagu, who is Sarpanch at the time of the hearing, gives his judgment against Jumman and their long friendship is broken as a result. After some time Jumman becomes Sarpanch and Alagu goes to Panchayat with a plea for justice as he sold his bullock to a cart-driver Samju Sahu but he refused to pay the amount as the bullock died in a few days. Jumman gave his justice in favor of Alagu as the bullock had died due to overwork. That day he realized that Panch is God and through Panch God speaks. He realizes his mistake and their friendship is revived. 

The themes of the indigenous justice system, friendship, truth always triumphs run parallelly in the story which leaves the reader overwhelmed due to its powerful message.