Khap Panchayats- Why they have Degenerated to this present Level ?
Khap Panchayats – Why they have degenerated to this present Level ?
In recent past the agenda of these khap panchayats has really shifted from the social reform to the ‘Gotra reform’ and to be more specific ‘women reform’ taking the society to the medieval periods. The Sangwan gotra issue, the jaundhi bhai bahan issue, Sasrauli issue and now this asanda issue has lowered the prestige of these panchayats in the civic society to the minimum. Even the role of the khap panchayats in Dulina kand had been shameful. Now the role adopted and the decisions taken by these panchayats are against the weaker and poor sections of the society. Now the question is that whether there is any relevance of these khap or gotra panchayats ?
The objectivity of the Haryana society points out that the relevance of these so-called panchayats has become obsolete as the elected panchayats are there to take up the social agenda for whole of the village and then there is panchayat samiti and then Jila Parishad. Since these khap panchayats are basically authoritarian, anti-woman, anti-dalits and anti-democratic, they do not represent the social issues in a rational and scientific way. The stagnating and degenerating society of Haryana needs a new type of social reform movement in form of Navjagran. On the other hand the reactionary forces are taking advantage of this stagnating situation and trying to have control of more conservative, irrational and undemocratic ideas. It appears that these panchayats are becoming vehicle of irrationality and conservatism. These panchayats do not have legal authority but even then they take decision contrary to the constitution of India. The administration and major political parties also keep silence on these anti-constitutional decisions most of the time.
On the other hand, a silent section gives sanctity to these panchayats by saying that historically these panchayats have played a constructive role. If degeneration is seen in them, the regeneration process should be started and the real social reform agenda should be brought into focus by these panchayats. Here again the question is what short of regeneration should be the agenda? Going towards 14th century or going towards a better future? The better elements on this side suggest that these panchayats should have representation of women, dalits and other sections of the village community also. The social reform agenda should be taken up by these panchayats which should at least include:
(a) Fight against female foeticide which is playing havoc in the society of Haryana.
(b) Fight against drug addiction and alcohol addiction, both are epidemics in Haryana society.
(c) Fight against criminalisation of youth in the villages. It is said that there are 4000-5000 illegal arms in most of the big villages.
(d) Fight against dowry which is ruining the society of Haryana.
(e) Fight against rapists and anti-social elements of the villages.
(f) Fight against huge expenditures in marriages.
(g) Fight against purchase and sale of girls in the name of marriage.
(h) Fight for better education for all in the villages.
(i) Fight for good quality of health of the whole village
(j) Fight for safe drinking water for whole of the village.
(k) Fight for better sanitation of each village.
(l) Today each village has many gotras. The marriages are becoming impossible. The flexibility is required in the rigid framework. There are many examples before us. Nizampur village, Gugaheri village, Samchana village, are few examples to be quoted.
(m) These panchayats should respect the Indian Constitution and should not go against its spirit. The individuals dignity and honour should be respected.
In the end it can be said that Haryana even without these Khap Panchayats needs a social reform movement for building a civic society where all human being are equal and get equal opportunities for their progress.
Ranbir Singh Dahiya
Associate Professor Surgery
PGIMS, Rohtak
