“Why does the media always turn up at this hour of the day? “It’s a good decision,” says 70-year-old Balbir, a Jat. After remaining silent for two years, on Saturday the Kheri Meham panchayat ruled their marriage invalid as they were of the same gotra and, even though they had been living together for two years, were like siblings.Meanwhile, parents of Kavita met representatives of the Meham Chaubisi and informed them about the undemocratic decision of the Kheri panchayat. As a young Jat farmer growing up in the village, he had seen people of all communities sharing each other’s “sukh-dukh (good and bad times)”. State Of Haryana v. Ganga Raj,Times Of India, 26th March, 2010,p. Any restrictions imposed by the khap are valid.” Chauhan further stated that “If khap panchayats do not impose restrictions, then violators will destroy the society and create chaos. The panchayat announced that they had to treat each other as siblings.Not an unusual story in Haryana’s Jat heartland but this one has a twist: Kavita, one of the three women from the village with a diploma in teacher’s training, has refused to buckle. Instead of having it in an open chaupal, they held it behind closed doors. They are found mostly in northern India, particularly among the people of Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana,[1] although historically the term has also been used among other communities. Sahithi Devarapalli accompanied by a Punjab and Haryana High Court warrant officer An assistant sub-inspector posted in Hissar was also part of the khap panchayat. [2][3], Khaps are not affiliated with the formally elected government bodies and is instead concerned with the affairs of the Khap it represents. Khap Panchayats in Haryana Start to Feel the Heat. He blames the fanatical caste divide on identity politics. Now, one of the major reasons why boys are preferred over girls is dowry. [29], In a 2012 report to the Supreme Court, Raju Ramachandaran, a Senior Advocate appointed by the Court to assist it in public interest litigation actions against Khap Panchayats, called for the arrest of "self styled" decision makers and for proactive action by the police to protect the fundamental rights of the people. According to this ruling, a couple cannot have a third child after having two girls. Justifying the work of khaps as a quasi-judicial body for a group of villages, Satbir compares its verdicts to desi ghee. Kavita, who was forced to leave her in-laws’ house on January 31 following a diktat issued by the khap panchayat, met Rohtak Senior Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Rai on Wednesday, seeking action against the panchayat for issuing an “unconstitutional” order declaring her marriage null and void. Satbir claims pradhans of three other khaps have also appreciated the idea. “I know the girl well,” said Singh. [16][17], Khaps have attracted attention in recent times for their decisions on marriage. [citation needed] The Sarv Khap (or All Khap) Panchayat (Council) represented all the Khaps. Khap Panchayats in Haryana Start to Feel the Heat, Swami Nityananda Quits As Head of His Ashram, Trusts, The Nitty Gritties Of Investigating Hathras Rape, MI Vs RR: Suryakumar, Bumrah Set Up Massive Win, No Ifs And Buts, Nitish Kumar Will Remain CM Even If We Win More Seats: BJP, Covid-19 Virus Can Infect People More Than Six Feet Away: CDC, In Den Of Match-Fixers, Why BCCI's Fraud Detecting System For IPL Still Has Holes.