The debate on khaaps is a burning topic, and with more and more allegations and criticisms these days, it has gained more momentum...
Local panchayats, where some oldies sit on khats under a banyan tree, smoke hukka leisurely and enjoy the scene as some people beat up an innocent woman, just for having married outside her caste, are a common feature in most villages in India.These khaps have since long, been violators of human rights. These rigid panchayats are a big reason for the so-called 'honour killings' , persistence of untouchability, male chauvinism in rural areas, suppression of women, religious superstitions, and many other social evils, that prevail in our rural society.These kangaroo courts can go to the extent of even ordering a woman to be gang-raped as a punishment, getting the so-called 'low caste' people beaten for apparently no reason at all or expelling some members out of the society due to some foolish superstitions.
People in villages have not been able to progress or develop because of their ridiculous diktats. The traditional mentality of people has stayed which makes them unwilling to accept changes, and the fear of these people has prevented them from being able to take independent decisions.
If khaps are such a burden on the locals themselves, why do we have them?
In the older times, such communities existed because conflicts, land disputes, resource distribution matters,etc. had to be solved and the elders of the society were considered to be the wisest for this purpose.
In today's time, even with the presence of a decentralized polity and a strong judicial system, people approach khaaps because:
Thus, with such great power and age-old legitimacy, these khaaps have very smoothly exploited people for their own selfish needs.
Why can't the government ban khaps?
Firstly, it is unconstitutional. All of us have a Fundamental Right to Association under the Right to Freedom, Article 19 (c).
Secondly, it is not a registered institution. Rightly put by Arvind Kejriwal, if we put a ban on khaaps, they will come out with some other name. How many communities can we ban?
How do we get rid of this problem?
Each khaap should register itself with the government. Until khaps are not institutionalized legally, it will be difficult to take action against them.
They should be allowed to take decisions on certain specified subjects only. A government body should be constituted that keeps a check on the working of khaaps.
Local panchayats, where some oldies sit on khats under a banyan tree, smoke hukka leisurely and enjoy the scene as some people beat up an innocent woman, just for having married outside her caste, are a common feature in most villages in India.These khaps have since long, been violators of human rights. These rigid panchayats are a big reason for the so-called 'honour killings' , persistence of untouchability, male chauvinism in rural areas, suppression of women, religious superstitions, and many other social evils, that prevail in our rural society.These kangaroo courts can go to the extent of even ordering a woman to be gang-raped as a punishment, getting the so-called 'low caste' people beaten for apparently no reason at all or expelling some members out of the society due to some foolish superstitions.
People in villages have not been able to progress or develop because of their ridiculous diktats. The traditional mentality of people has stayed which makes them unwilling to accept changes, and the fear of these people has prevented them from being able to take independent decisions.
If khaps are such a burden on the locals themselves, why do we have them?
In the older times, such communities existed because conflicts, land disputes, resource distribution matters,etc. had to be solved and the elders of the society were considered to be the wisest for this purpose.
In today's time, even with the presence of a decentralized polity and a strong judicial system, people approach khaaps because:
They can't go to courts due to lack of time, means and money.
They feel land disputes, matrimonial affairs,etc. are best solved at the hands of this local judiciary.
They feel land disputes, matrimonial affairs,etc. are best solved at the hands of this local judiciary.
Orthodox cultural families who don't like state interference in their culture, have strong faith in traditional panchayats and prefer to get their personal matters solved through khaaps.
Approaching the police in backward rural areas is practically useless since they are either not available most of the time or are too lazy and unwilling to work. They are also often corrupt and work under the influence of the powerful.
Approaching the police in backward rural areas is practically useless since they are either not available most of the time or are too lazy and unwilling to work. They are also often corrupt and work under the influence of the powerful.
Thus, with such great power and age-old legitimacy, these khaaps have very smoothly exploited people for their own selfish needs.
Why can't the government ban khaps?
Firstly, it is unconstitutional. All of us have a Fundamental Right to Association under the Right to Freedom, Article 19 (c).
Secondly, it is not a registered institution. Rightly put by Arvind Kejriwal, if we put a ban on khaaps, they will come out with some other name. How many communities can we ban?
How do we get rid of this problem?
Each khaap should register itself with the government. Until khaps are not institutionalized legally, it will be difficult to take action against them.
Increase the efficiency of police to ensure law and order in villages.
They should be allowed to take decisions on certain specified subjects only. A government body should be constituted that keeps a check on the working of khaaps.
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