There is no place for Khap Pachayat diktats in a democratic society: Chidambaram

14 July, 2012

Khap panchayat's diktat in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat banning love marriages and directing the women under the age of 40 to cover their heads, banning the use of mobile phones outside homes, and not leaving their homes unescorted after dusk has met with a lot of criticism and outrage from women activists.

HOME MINISTER P Chidambaram has said that such kind of diktats had no place in a democratic society and hoped that the state government would take action. He also warned Khap panchayats to refrain from issuing diktats.

Reacting to the incident, National Commission for Women head, Mamta Sharma said that Khap panchayats had no constitutional powers and the authorities needed to take action so that the diktats are not issued and carried out.

The state should issue an order stating that such orders shouldn’t be followed," said Mamta Sharma. "It is sad to see how in today's modern society too, such old fashioned, archaic mindsets exist and that they even try to force themselves on the women around them," said Madhu Garg, All India Democratic Women's Association.

One may recall that the Supreme Court of India has already declared the ‘Khap panchayats' illegal and they had no right to decree how people should lead their lives.

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COMMENTS (1)

Guest

I don't understand y these self appointed ppl are given any importance and more importantly y women fail to understand that these men wants to keep them under lock n key of their diktats..its high time that they rise and understand and fight for their rights