In the slums of southern Delhi, local women form the Mahila Panchayat, a female village council providing justice for women facing domestic violence and harassment. The council, which has no legal powers, resolves cases through mediation, offering a quicker and more accessible alternative to the formal legal system. Volunteers, mostly housewives or domestic workers, assist with legal paperwork and arrange pro bono lawyers for cases requiring legal action. Action India, an NGO, established these councils nearly 25 years ago, and Delhi now has 52 government-supported women's councils. Critics argue for more government protection of women's rights, but acknowledge the councils' effectiveness in supporting women.

In the lead-up to state elections in Uttar Pradesh, India, the performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies, including the controversial demonetization initiative. The BJP, which currently has fewer Rajya Sabha seats than the Congress party, could gain an upper hand if successful in the elections. Uttar Pradesh's electorate is divided along caste, class, and religious lines, and the state has been a significant factor in the BJP's rise, particularly after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. The BJP faces competition from the Samajwadi Party, the Indian National Congress, and the Bahujan Samaj Party. Local opinions on Modi's impact vary, with some praising development efforts in Varanasi, while others, including the Muslim minority, express skepticism or dissatisfaction.