Pl have a look at this story n tell what khap has to do with it?
Khap order sends families to cops
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ends-families-to-cops/articleshow/6122016.cms
GHAZIABAD: In
yet another case of Khap panchayat threatening innocent villagers over same gotra marriage, four families in Babugarh area here have sought police protection after the
local panchayat asked them to get ready to face the consequences if they did not leave their Kakrouli village within four days. The couple that had got married in 2009 has already fled the village fearing punishment by
the panchayat.
According to SSP (Ghaziabad) Raghuvir Lal, the couple Sudhir Singh and Sheetal eloped and got married on February 4, 2009.
Immediately after the couple had eloped, both the families approached the Babugarh police station. The girl's family lodged a kidnapping case against Sudhir. The couple then approached the Allahabad high court and got a
stay order on any police action against them.
About a week ago, the couple tried to enter their village yet again. "When the couple reached the village, the other villagers objected to their marriage and asked the couple to live as brother and sister. Sensing danger, the couple fled the village but not before the ire of the villagers fell on the families of the boy's father and his three uncles.
"Fearing an attack on them, the girl's family had already left the village. But the boy's family members have declared that they have no intention of leaving their ancestral properties behind,'' said a senior officer of Babugarh police station.
The police said that the local panchayat called a meeting on Wednesday and asked the boy's father, Kajendra Singh, to be present. "The Panchayat asked Kajendra and his three brothers to leave the village within four days or else face the consequences," said the police officer.
The four shocked families then sought the help of the local police. Police have filed a complaint
against 20 villagers, including the panchayat members.
"We were told to leave the village. They ordered that we be declared outcastes and that our water supply be stopped. We were left with no other option but to approach the police,'' said Kajendra.
SSP Lal said that prima facie the complaint against the panchayat seemed to be true. "We have posted police personnel near the residences of the complainants. We have called the panchayat members to withdraw their mediaeval diktat. Action will taken if they disturb the peace in the area,'' said Lal.
Chatar Singh, one of the
panchayat members who passed the diktat, however, appeared unperturbed. "This is a village affair. We do not want any outsider to dictate terms here. The girl's family has already left the village. The boy's family should also leave,'' Chatar told the Times City.
That is the problem Hemant, reporter has no idea about the difference between khap panchayat and panchayat (legal body). And why blame reporters, even members at this very site, comment that khap should be banned (?) citing articles having nothing to do with
khaps. (to me this is an
obvious indication that they don't have much idea about khaps.
I am no expert on khap either but whatever elementary knowledge I have, I found it ridiculous to blame khaps for any thing that goes wrong anything in villages).
Ironically- if someone questions (
with sincerity) such a member regarding his knowledge regarding the khaps, more often than not, answer is a meaningless myriad of words, an attempt to prove that his/her knowledge is an
irrelevant factor!! yet, for some reasons, the
rigidity against
khaps remains intact!!
-----------------
Coming back to the topic: (and in connection with the issue of banning the '
bodies' which are against the spirit of our constitution and citizens'
liberty- This article make a case of
BANNING the Village panchayats!!
And well, this is not the first case, every now and then there are such
news where influential people (which are also the Panchayat members and Sarpanch)
oppress the weaker-sections (my favorite words).
Not just in Jatlands, situation throughout the India is more or less same. In Central India (MP, CG, Bihar, JharKa, Urri), there have been many cases of Women being stripped naked and paraded in village for some minor offences by
PANCHYATS .
Instances of Dalit women tied down to a tree and burnt alive were also reported. These women were suspected of practicing WITCHCRAFT (
take that)!!
I am not making-up these cases, cynics are welcome to googling.
Furthermore, Panchayat Sarpanchi has become a tool of making money; Only
Influential ppl are selected as members and sarpanch. Panchayat elections are also responsible not just for the GUTBANDI in villages but also for many bloody murdering !! Cases of corruption against Sarpanchs are aplenty. :-|
Reservation for women in panchayats election has also been largely ineffective (nothing more than dummies for their husbands or sons). Thus, not much of women- empowerment either!! :-(
Also, note that we do have police and courts for settling
issues and Administrative officers, BDOs (corrupt or not) for allocating funds for village- development, etc.
Why add one more echelon (i.e, village panchayats) in corruption-hierarchy just in the name of
grass-root democracy?
Why not completely demolish panchayat-system and save some election money?
If needed, hire some more BDOs and thats it. At least 'these' BDOs won't burn women alive!!
Any thoughts?
Regards,
