Sunday, May 19th 06:41 AM IST
 

Khap Panchayats should be banned

Piyasree Dasgupta

In a country like India, where law is just a trophy term just as democracy, education and equality, a khap panchayat is the last thing a woman, or even a man, needs to enforce moral or social order. For once you're tempted to agree with Sonia Gandhi, when she says that the law rests with the judiciary and not the khaps. In fact, khap panchayats don't just sit in their medieval moral ghetto and pass judgments, if their actions are anything to go by, they are a law unto themselves. It may be possible to fight ignorance - allowing khaps to explain to a young man that a girl wearing jeans doesn't deserve to be raped, but how do you do that when he looks up to a father/uncle/elder brother, who behaves in the same manner? Khaps in India, zealously protect and nurture a similar behaviour. They should be banned.read less read more

Akshaya Mishra

The decisions of the Khaps range from the silly to the obnoxious to the regressive. Yet it is impossible to wish the khaps away. Their influence in the socialscape where theyy exist is overwhelming. The reason is simple. The community institutions represent a mindset, a worldview steeped in medievalism. Punitive action will work against persons but not against a mindset which allegedly sanctifies honour killings and reaffirms the traditional caste and community based segregation and discrimination. India cannot afford to continue to be condescending towards the institutions. The hope is in breaching their insularity and connecting them to the other world in slow and patient ways. There are footsteps of change from inside already - one reason why the khaps are getting more and more aggressive. This process needs to be aided in subtle ways.read less read more