Khap Panchayats and their irrational diktats

The Supreme Court’s directive to khap panchayats also referred to as community or social groups that pass judgements on various subjects including marriages not to act like the conscience keepers of society is significant considering the fact that more often than not these so called kangaroo courts interfere in the in the marriage of two consenting adults. The Supreme Court’s ruling comes against the backdrop of a plea seeking a prohibition on the workings of khap panchayats as well as the necessary actions to be taken against honour killings that has resulted in the bizarre acts of violence by members of khap panchayats against individuals who have tried to defy the diktats of these groups with extreme views on marriages in which individuals belonging to different social strata are barred from entering into a wedding relationship.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is a welcome relief for those who have tried to defy resistance from society and tried to tie the wedding knot with the person of his or her choice. It is common knowledge that khap panchayats enjoy considerable clout in North India and have tried to impose their decision on marriages which is not in accordance with their desired social customs.  At times khap panchayats have labelled marriages as null and void according to their perceptions.

 It is a matter of great regret that in a country like India Khap Panchayats have been allowed to chalk out the dress code, especially of women, dissolving marriages, clamping a ban on cellphones and at times compelling victims of rape to marry their tormentors. The severe opposition of the khap panchayats to marriages have resulted in a number of murders that has seen an alarming rise in recent years.  

The Supreme Courts stringent criticism of the Khap panchayats for their assault on those going for inter-caste marriage and terming the acts of the khap panchayats as illegal is the step in the right direction and needs to be greatly appreciated. Unless and until sanity prevails among these groups the Apex Court’s role is likely to be of momentous nature.