- People following closely on the vagaries of northern India’s rural landscape, especially states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, would be aware of Khaps essaying no less than extrajudicial role whilst deciding on matters of day-to-day functioning. It is also amply clear that these all-powerful Khaps enjoy tremendous patronage from the political leaders for fear of antagonizing them and also losing out on their support. Respective Khaps draw their support from people who blindly trust in whatever decisions arrived at by their representatives. There are numerous instances when Khaps pass on strictures, which might go against the tenet of the Constitutionally guaranteed rights, but still followed diligently by the people.
PC: Nishant Maliakel Oommen
- The innumerable Mahapanchayats are traditionally opposed to modern-oriented changes, including empowerment of women away from the misogynistic and patriarchy-driven viewpoints, which has been well documented over the decades. Despite humongous advancements on the back of technology-driven inventions have hardly altered the medieval mindsets of these Mahapanchayats which incidentally should not surprise many. No wonder, any cases of inter-caste marriages, sartorial preferences of women, and lifestyle choice resorted to by the consenting adults gets the goat of these self-appointed moral crusaders to go on the offensive. You have heard enough of honour killings.
- Subsequent actions are disgustingly hard to believe either. People are forced to follow the diktat which ranges from imposing fines, ostracizing from the community, and some such democratically anachronistic measures ensue. As you are aware, a bill to increase the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 was introduced in the Parliament’s winter session recently. Of course, it has triggered sharp reactions from several quarters opposing the same. However, it was a Mahapanchayat of multiple Khaps in Haryana recently that captured the essence of social obstacles that women face when they wish to exercise choice.
- As mentioned above, the writ of Khaps for all practical purposes is the de facto law in some parts of rural India. Digest this. Haryana’s Khaps both support and oppose the bill. This seemingly muddleheaded positioning is based on a single point objective i.e., exercising absolute control over the lives of girls. Disgustingly, Khaps want the marriage age to remain at 18 if families are involved in arranging it. However, they want it to be 21 if it’s a court-registered marriage as it lowers the possibility of elopement. In other words, it is castigating those choosing their own partners in Khaps inimitable ways. Can you believe how the issue still pans out here as per the whims and fancies of a few zealots?
PC: Jitendra
- Thus, the position of Khaps embodies all the regressive traditions that deprive women of their individuality and keep them tied down. Haryana’s self-appointed bodies along with many other social institutions across India are hell-bent on suppressing the individuality of women. Unfortunately, the political class lacks the courage to contest these institutions for the reasons mentioned above. The least these anachronistic bodies could do is to create an economic environment that allows women to break free of tradition’s shackles. No, they will not listen so long as political willingness to crack whip is not forthcoming.
