The Khap controversy putting Jat identity in crisis
Agreed,hence the need for amendment in the act. It is argued that in case of conflict between a custom and a law it is the law that prevails, laws have been amended several times to suit the public and society.
THE HARDWORKING Jat community of Haryana, Delhi, Rajsthan and Western U.P. is facing serious identity crisis. The whole country, Union Law Minister Veerapa Moily, National Human Rights Commission, media, particularly the English press and electronic media and Congress party high command is up in arms against the Jats for demanding amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act banning marriages between the same gotra (sub-caste) and in the same village.
The media partcularly the national english press and electronic media is flooded with reports concerning khaps using the word talibani, fatwas and honour killings. In Haryana it has become a political issue with Om parkash Chautala of Indian National Lok Dal supporting the demand and even promising to bring private member bill in the state assembly for making amendemnet in the Hindu marriage act. Yoga guru Ramdev has also supported the demand with a rider to panchyats not to take law into their hands. The issue has put Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in catch-22 situation as his party high command is against this demand. Although as a part of damage control exercise his close confidante Shadi Lal Batra has introduced private member bill in Rajya Sabha over the issue but his opponents are saying that when Haryana assembly can make amendment what is the need of putting it into Rajyasabha which they allege is only eyewash. Naveen jindal, young M.P. of Congress party, who was forced by the panchyats to support their demand for amendement in the act was grilled by the party high command. Union tourism minister Kumari Shelja has also opposed the demand arguing that couples should be allowed to marry according to their wishes. Bhupinder Singh Hoooda says that khaps will not be allowed to take law in their hands as they do not have any legal authority adding that if somebody does anything good for social cause we welcome it. There is no need of repeating it. Government has enough power under the I.P.C. to deal with such elements provided it has the will power to act. National media is reporting the issue without knowing the factual position. Khaps and panchyats are two different bodies where khaps have historical background doing good social work feels former haryana D.G.of Police M.S.Malik whereas panchayat is gathering of few persons. Even the allegations that Khaps issue fatwas for honour killings is debatable. Rowdy elements of the affected area issue such Talibanic fatwas and the successive governments have failed to take action against such elements fearing vote bank. Such elements needed to be handeled firmly. National media is creating confusion by clubbing the words same gotra and inter-gotra marriages. Jats have only put their demand to prime minister and president of india and they have all the right to be heard. Even Kasab was allowed to present his defence. Condeming Jats without listening their viewpoint is not justified, says Yoginder Dahiya , a political activist and Lawyer at Rohtak bar, adding that there is enough provision in the Hindu Marriage Act for amending it to ban same gotra marriages according to the customs and traditions of particular area. He said that same gotra marriage is sin as it is like marriage between sister and brother. Shamsher Singh Nehra of Meham Chobisi area also supported the demand while asking the panchayats to put their viewpoint politely instead of threatening of gherao of politicians.
Sixty five year old judgement of Bombay high court is cited as Bhagwatgeeta by the media to declare same gotra marraige valid.Same gotra marriage legal, court had ruled 65 years ago by Bombay High court, says Jagmati Sangwan, in a leading English newspaper of the country. Keeping in view the historical perspective and the contemporary situation in mind, questions or issues should be raised, says Dr. Ramesh Kumar Maddan, a researcher and political anlyist, adding that no doubt, she is raising the various socio-political issues from time to time and supporting such families against the Khap diktats. But in addition to this, the fact cannot be denied that the Khap panchayats are existing since times immemorial. The media and the activists who are not very well known about the structure and functioning of Khap panchayats as well as the culture of rural society. It is widely accepted fact that we are living in the information and technology era. There is a crisis of identity prevailing in the biradari regarding marriages in Haryana. Under the prevailing circumstances there is an urgent need to understand and analyse the communities and culture in the states particularly Haryana. We find a lot of difference in the style and functioning of life style. With the breach in the principle of village and clan exogamy, due to this reason there is dissent and challenge on this front? The extra- judicial power and activity of the traditional panchayats have severe implications for the state, the state stands devalued, unable to protect its citizens or implement its own laws. For the progress and development of any state or society, leadership is considered to be an important factor the more dynamic, articulate and assertive leadership is the more progress of the state or society is expected to be. It is sorry state of affairs that the academicians or the power holders are nor taking much pain for the solution of the community problems. Hence the crisis is at its climax. It is the need of the hour to think and introspect in the prevailing situation and play an effective role for the survival, sustainability and suitability for the social system in the larger perspective. If we look at the historical perspective ,the various sources of Laws are---customs, traditions, history ,public opinion, commentaries, judicial decisions based on customary law in that particular community, legislature, executive, judiciary and contemporary situations etc. Because the Khap panchayat mobilises a large number of people on the basis of caste, community, kinship, gotra and villages, including persons from the neighbouring areas. By bringing in a wider biradari from outside the village, links which makes the panchayat look more powerful are activated; issues such as breaking of social taboos, customs, rituals and hierarchy are used as the strategy of mobilisation. Youth and women usually the affected party are not allowed to raise their voice regarding their opinion. The question is raised age and experience should be respected in front of elders. These highly emotive issues succeeded in uniting people in Haryanvi society.
In such a situation , there is an urgent necessity to amend the Act in the larger interest of the society ,state and system.
Haryana is no Bombay or Goa where girls even in Western attires can freely roam on beaches without inviting anybodys attention. The Punjab and haryana high court while rejecting public interest litigations of some residents of Haryana for making amendments in the act banning same gotra marriage has commented that no tradition can violate the law. Agreed, hence the need for amendment in the act. It is argued that in case of conflict between a custom and a law it is the law that prevails, laws have been amended several times to suit the public and society as they are for the welfare of the society in a democratic country.
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RAYORPH
Gotra is a mythological identity.It is not scientific concept. So same gotra-marriage cannot give rise to genetic defects. Khap panchayet is absolutely an unnecessary organisation.They must obey the Law Of thE country.What they are doing ,practising and preaching is barbaric.They ARE promoting barbaric culture in a particular population group.Govt should immediately ban all such TALIBANI-TYPE organisation.And any person associated with Honour- killing or saying anything in its favour must be behind the bar.Our democracy is not yet matured .There are many serious and dangerous loo-fools .ANY SUCH THING WHICH PROMOTE JUNGLERAJ SHOULD HAVE BEEN NIPPED IN THE BUD.IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE.
news in THE Tribune
Senior Congress leader Sampat Singh said here today that the issue of same-gotra marriage was a social concern, which should be allowed to settle on its own without any interference from the state or the union government.
Maintaining a safe distance from the issue, he said such matters could create imbalance and affect the social fabric of the state and hence should not be dealt with haste at any level.
Speaking to mediapersons, Singh said the society should itself come out with an amicable solution to the issue. Even if a law was enacted to annul same-gotra marriages, its role would remain limited, claimed Singh. He stated that amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act was a vast subject as it would affect lakhs of people across the country and it would be a cumbersome exercise to change it to suit the demands of a single state.
On being asked about the discontent amongst the party leadership over the working of the government, he said the Congress government was working as a united house in the state and even if there were some differences of opinion amongst its leaders, the party stood on firm ground.
He said opposition parties had been making futile attempts to disgrace the Congress on various grounds. Reacting to the statement issued by local legislator Balbir Pal Shah, he said the Congress was the only party in which all had the right to voice their concerns. Citing examples of Maharashtra and other states, Shah had recently stated that leaders hailing from different social backgrounds had been made Chief Ministers there and why in Haryana only one section of society was being chosen to lead to the state, while there were more experienced leaders in the party who could be in the forefront.
Ved Parkash Vashist
The administrators in India are too stupid and liars as ever since. If INTERNET and CELL PHONES are removed from GENERAL PUBLIC, these problems will not be there and WERE NEVER THERE BEFORE.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BE HONEST.
dahiyars@rediffmail.com
I have an overlook of the debate. Arya samaj had evolved the mrthod of debate in those times when its. views were not appreciated by majority of the community say on women education. An healthy debate requires minimum decency and respect to each other.We may disagree to a point but listen to it peacefully. People are observing what is happening in society. Ultimately people decide about themselves at a perticular time . The customs are never rigid . The people had been modifying and changing their customs whenever need arises. Many examples of change and modifications can be quoted. No body will like that any body takes law in his/her own hands. Moreover I feel that the presentation of news items/ its selection is not objective . Not an ethics of press or media. All the views published in media or news papers should become part of this debate. Glorification of past without a critique will lead us nowhere.
R.S.Dahiya
Pawan Kumar Bansal,
Reference in the article.Same gotra marriage legal, court had ruled 65 years ago by Bombay High Court, says jagmati Sangwan, in a leading English newspaper of the country.Jagmati's photo along with the news appeared in the times of india regarding th judgement of the Bombay High Court has created the confusion .She ha no connection with that news .
News in The Tribune and dainik Tribune
Ajay Chautala leader of Indian National lok Dal has asked Haryana C.M. Bhupinder Singh Hooda to clarify stand on bann on same gotra marriages. He said if he was sincere on the issue then he should get a resolution passed in state assembly in this regard making amendment in Hindu Marriage Act..Meanwhile MewaSiNGH Chhatar and Kuldeep Singh Dhanda , leaders of Sarva Jatiya Panchayat has welcomed the stand of Haryana chiefr Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda opposing same gotra marraige adding that this should grt reflected in an action and this was possible only when the wstate government passed a Bill to amend the Hindu Marriage act which they said had been against the social norms and traditions of Haryana,
citing the cases of the bills brought by ther Stsate governmnets of TamilNadu and Ponddicherry regarding such demand, they said that it was the right of the people of Haryana to seek such a move and change in the Actand it was very much in the constitution.
Suresh,Rohtak
in a strange development Haryana Chief Minishter BhupinderSingh His ooda today said that he is personally against marriages between same gotra. addressing a function held at Rohtak today to mark the 125th birth anniversary of congress party he expressed these views
pawan kumar bansal
Jagmti Sangwan was referred as quoting Bombay high court verdict holding same gotra marriage valid.Jagmati photo with the story regarding the judgement has created the confusion. she says that she has her own understanding of gotra issue which she has been putting strongly and it is non issue as no such marriages are taking place.
news in the tribune
Hooda khap belonging to gotra of haryana chief mnister bhupinder singh hooda has also demanded ban of same gotra marriages. the meeting of khap headed by its president shrikishan hooda held on sunday threatened the members of parliament and vidhan sabah to either support the demand or face boycott
DrLaljiSingh, ex director,center for cellular and molecular
Dr.lalji Singh ex director of center of celullar and molecular biology Hyderabad and scientist of international repute said that if same gotra marriages are not stopped then coming generations will be affected with genetic diseases adding that there is possibility of five thousand diseases in same gotra marriages.it is based on indian culture and have scientific support
Mary.e.john,times of india
The reent notoriety of khap panchyats , the community courtsof the jats of haryanaand western U.P. is easy to understand. They want the hindu marriages act to prohibit marriages where both bride and groom belong to the same gotra.How should a liberal state that is sensitive to plural traditions respond to such a demand.Rather than to give in to such demands the law must limit itself to protecting fundamental freedom.It is for the civil society to help reate an atmosphere where youg people are empowered not only to choose their life partners but also to acquire the resources , necessary to sustain their choices
luxmi devi karnal
shobhaa de bahan ji it is to talk about love and sex sitting in aircinditoned rooms in mumbai. you consume tonnes of newspaper space talking aabout womjen empowerment and thier rights. are you aware of the plight of women of haryana.have you ever seen a poor labourer carryinng her new born baby in her lap working in scorching heat on raod under national rural employeement gaurantee scheme for rs one hundred fifty. have you seen the ladies carrying a bottle of water going to fields to answer the call of narture
Shobhaa de,times of india
love,sex,gotra... what's going on? Naveen jindal seems like a reasonably sensible chap-dresses hip and modern.He appears appears to lead a modern life. wealthy eduated and well travelled.He is the kind of 21st century politicians urbanites feel comfortable around. So what;s why a guy like him doing a mess like this?Hard to believe we are dealing with kahp dominated headlines and gotra related stories in a n era where nothing was supposed to matter but love.
jasbir malik editor jaatratan
congratulations for putting right facts about the issue befrore the readers
Caption Inder Singh. ex.m.p.
congratulations to citi journalist pawan Kumar bansal and merinews for putting the correct viewpoint of the issue. the analysis shows writers indepth study and knowledge of the subject. same gorra marriages should be banned .
Caption Inder Singh. ex.m.p.
congratulations to citi journalist pawan Kumar bansal and merinews for putting the correct viewpoint of the issue. the analysis shows writers indepth study and knowledge of the subject. same gorra marriages should be banned .
naresh vasishtha
I entirely agree that there is absolute necessity to save the honourloving jat community by amending the present law by imposing legal ban on marriage between the same gotras.History is openbook ;these old traditions are responsible for the survival of jats as Hindus despite the cruel days of muslim rule in Delhifrom1100ad to 1857A.D jATS WE KNOW have lived in areas close to the muslim rulers and invaders
Shankar Lal Sahrawart, Rohtak
demand for banning same gotra marriage is right and based on ancient values and scientific ground. at the same time khaps shluld not take law into their own hands
M.S.MALIK,CHANDIGARH
same gotra mariage should be banned. Initiative by Indian National Lok Dal to bring private member billin state assembly for bringing amendment in hindu marrriage act banning same gotra marriage is welcome. governor should convene a special sessio of assembly for discussing the issue put by Indian National LokDal legislators
m.p.bharadwaj
in case some sections of the society are so much convinced about the ill effects of same-gotra marriage,they are at liberty and welcome to propagate this "useful information".But the Talibani dictates of Khap Panchayats and their unlawful and inhuman actions are simply unacceptable in the present day highly mobilised society.I dont find any need for the amendment of Hindu marriage act.The believers of the custom have al lthe rights to practice this at their homes and preach it to the whole world.
s k atri
Pt ji, thanks a lot to raise the issue in support of not only jat but whole society. The English media or electronic media do not have any knowledge about the roots of our society hence they are always presents negetive picture of the society,they forgets that society can make rules but no rule can make society.
Azad Kaushik
Azad.K.Kaushik,Dsc [Paris]
Pandit Mange Ram Sharma,
President,
World Brahman federation,delhi,india
dear pandit sharmaji,
Thank you for asking my candid expert opinion about the outcome of gotra marriages.given our expertise in the area of immunogenetics in the context of health and disease, I am pleased to share our well-considered opinion on this important matter concerning health genertics.Essentially ,mariage within a gotra reflects inbreeding with significant health consequences .the studies from southern India have cleraly shown that a marraige within a gotra or closely related clan contributes considerably to infant mortality and morbidity. for these reasons , marriages within a gotra or closely related clans are not advisable because of genetic defects that are likely to occur. We , in the western word , are amazed with the wisdomof great rishi;s of India who created the gotra system to ensure that inbreeding does not occur and it stands to scrutiny of modern science. in fact because of gotra system and marriages outside gotra , north indian have few genetic disease as compared to others, for example , Muslims and jews where marriages within first cousions are common . In Europe and North Amercia , genetic counselling frior to marriage ,consistent with gotra system to maintain genetic diversity, has become common to avoid genetic diseases.i do hope that these comments are helpful to understand and resolve the current gotra controversy you mentioned about. please feel to let me know if i could be of further help in this regard.Ii is important to understand many Indian traditions that have a stron scientific basis and should not be discarded in the name of progress.
sincerely.Azad.k.kauchik
professor of IMMUNOLOGY
Abhay Arya ,Rohtak
same gotra marriages were prohibited even during mahabharta period. it is unfortunate that youth is influenced by western culture.
dr. Surinder kumar general secretary v.h.p
Vishav hindu Parishad has also supported the demand for amendment in hindu marriage act baning same gotra marriage.It has urged khaps to raise theior demands within constitutional limits and insteade of stoping supply of vegetables and milk to delhi try to convince powers that be about the justification of their demand.
news in amar ujala paper
Indian National lok Dal, led by OmParkash Chautala has taken initiative on the issue of amendement in Hindu marriage act banning same gotra marriages by puting a private member bill in haryana Assembly putting the congress party in embarassing situation. Its high command has oposed the demand and it is yet to be watched keenly what stands party takes over the issue . three legislators of Indian National LoK Dal namely Ramphal majra, Ashok Arora and Krishan Pal has given notice to haryana assembly speaker for convening a special session of the assembly to discuss their bill
Baljit Malik Gohana
we have to protect our culture and old traditions.
inderjit
The cheap language is actually in comment of some Ramesh and not Sanjay mann as mentioned in my comment So i withdraw it as it was an inadvertant mistake. I further request the merinews not to display any indecent remark against a particular person. A civilised society should always encourage healthy debate on socio cultural issues with some dignity and humility. I hoe the website would delete the comment from some ramesh dated 26 May as it contains filthy language .Inderjit
Mayank Delhi
It seems that a section of english press has launched malicious campaign against young and patriot M.P. from Haryan Naveen jindal over his support to demand of khaps for amendment in Hindu marriage act banning same gotra marriages. Jindal who had attended meeting of khap held in his constituency has never supported honour killings. he has only supported the demand for ban on same gotra marriages and at the same time he has asked the khaps to launch campaign against other social evils like female feticide etc and i think that by this he had nmot committed any son. But engilsh media is projecting him as orthodox and supporter of regressive ideas. comparing his fight for every citizen;s right to hoist the national flag it is being written that when a crusader for individual freedom backs a proposal preventing two human beings to be in love and make a future together , one wonders what our politicians will do to get a few extra votes. adding that Jindal could be role model for rural youth of haryana but be blew it with his short-sightedness to remain in power. What a strange comparison between hoisting national flag and marriage in same gotra. i see a bigger conspiracy by his political opponents to discredit him in the party high command as he is getting popular cutting across the caste lines. Even jat leader and former chief minister omparkash chautala has also appreciated his boldness. Naveen has rightly asked reporter of a national english daily that whether she will marry with boy of his gotra He has rightly told the reporter that villagers consider their culture and traditions as it gives them a sense of security. The newspaper story has projected jindal that he believes in the khap patriarchy and wants people to practice it. naveen should not bother about media campaign as it has its own agenda. He should bother only about the people of the state. As i remind the readers extracts from the memoirs of ousted American president Nixon regarding dealing the media . He says that when you are morally firm and right on your stand then do not bother about media and have straight dialogue with the masses.Naveen has inherited values from his father O.P.Jindal who created hiss business empire by hard work
inderjit
Pity on the cheap and filthy language of some sajay mann We are sorry to have such below standard stuff among our younger generation I would politely advise him to rethink and try to reform himself.
Sukhbir Siwach
Haryana Arya Smaj Partinidhi Sabah led by Acharya Baldev has decided to impose complete ban on marriages solemnized without the consent of parents in sabha's temples.Baldev has aid that we cannot allow amariagess within the same gotra and which violates the established norms of the societyAgnivesh prominent leader of the smaj said that we promote love marriages and stand firm on the ongoing practise of marraiges which dont ask for consent or presence of parents adding that arya smaj generally discourages same goptra marriages but ther e is no place for such dikates against couples. .
Suresh
panchayat held at Jind in Haryana in presence of mohinder Singh Tikat has demanded amendement in hindu marriage act banning marriages between same gotra and decided to socially boycott members of parliament and state assembly opposing their demand.meanwhile ved parkkash vidhrohi spokesman of hayana pradesh congress committee has described the threat at retrograde, illegal and unconstitutional adding that people of a particular class were taking talibini decisions in the name of maintaining their culture and traditions
Suresh,narwana
residents of singhawal village in narwana sub division of jind district of Haryana boycotted the panchayat polls to press thier demand for amendment in Hindu marriage acgt baning marriages between same gotra.
jagmati Sangwan,Rohtak
Dear Bansal saheb, I have been referred as quoting the Bombay High Court Verdict of 1945 holding same gotra marriage valid. I have my own understanding of the gotra issues which i have been putting forward quite frequently and i repat it here also that a hue and cry has been raised on this issue as there were not such cases . You have perhaps seen my photo printed within another news item in the Times of India on 16 May issue. The story on me is actually in the in an inner page. Kindly verify and correct yourself. THANKS. Jagmati sangwan
inderjit
Nilotpal Basu's comment was not carried by one news paper correctly He had actually stated that the gtra issue was being raised unnecessarily.Same gotra marriages were not prevalent in ahryana among several castes. Then he had said that the gotra was being used by some retrograde forces for the purpose of caste consolidation to gain power in the same way as the communal forces have been using religious feelings for the sake of grabbing political power . pl correct yourself. Secondly you have grossly misread Jagmati's story in the Times of India It her photo in a box of another news while her story was on the inside pages. You have wrongly mentioned that she had quoted thw Bombay High Court judgement in favour of the same gotra marriages. It is untrue Pl check up the relevant news paper and you will realise your mistaken view.
Raj Kumar Hooda, Rohtak
Same gotra marriages will break the society and lead to anarchy.Hindu marriage act should be amended to ban same gotra marriages
Abhimanu bjp leader
customary laws should be respected.demand for amending hindu marriage act banning same gotra marriage is justified.media seemed to be in a hurry to project the khaps and a particular community in a bad light khap panchyats have played sigificant role during the first war of indpendence in 1857 as well as their role in maintaining a code of conduct when there were no written laws
surender singh
khaps are doing their jobs very well.laws must be amended.
surender singh
Laws are made for the welfare of the societies.if kids are not knowing their moral values,it will lead to a value less society ,not knowing what is bro and sis,cousin,their gotras,their ancestors.so our laws must be amended at least for those who (community)wants.
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