India boasts around 1.5 million women elected to Panchayati Raj Institutions, representing 46.6% of all local governance seats

This reflects remarkable progress on paper. However, in many villages—especially in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, uttrakhand and Rajasthan real power frequently lies with husbands, fathers, or brothers of these elected women 
This phenomenon is known as proxy leadership or the “Pradhan/Sarpanch Pati”. Men, without constitutional authority, quietly handle budgets, conduct meetings, and make key decisions—all under the guise of their wives’ electoral legitimacy 

Read more at: https://www.brighterkashmir.com/from-symbol-to-leader-empowering-women-beyond-the-ballot