Khap Threatens SC says, “don’t interfere or will stop giving birth to girls”

After the Supreme Court in one of the hearings on growing violence against inter-faith marriages specifically mentioned the Khap panchayats for inciting violence, the Khap panchayat has responded rather aggressively. The Khap leaders have warned the Supreme Court not to interfere in their affair or they will destabilize the society by withdrawing from giving birth to girls at all.

“We respect the Supreme Court but cannot tolerate the apex court's interference in our age-old traditions. If these kinds of orders are passed by the SC, we will stop producing girls or won't let them study so much that they start taking their own decisions. Just think, what will happen to society if girls become lesser and lesser in numbers?" said the head of Balyan Khap, Naresh Tikait in a conversation with the TOI.

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NGO Shakti Vahini had filed a plea in the Supreme Court against the rising number of deaths in inter-caste marriages. In the previous hearing, the bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, AM Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said, “Take it from us, we are not concerned with Khaps at all. But we will make it crystal clear that an adult girl and an adult boy can get into a marriage alliance of their choice. No panchayat, Khap, individual or even parents can question such a decision, be the marriage inter-caste or otherwise,” when an ex-LG defended Khap Panchayats.

“Maybe, the SC has taken this stand influenced by the vulgar exhibition of modernity in cosmopolitan cities. But they must understand that village life is different and we follow our traditions religiously.”

The Apex Court had firmly asked the community to not take up the role of conscience keepers of society.

Rajbir Singh Malik, head of Malik Khap expressed, “Maybe, the SC has taken this stand influenced by the vulgar exhibition of modernity in cosmopolitan cities. But they must understand that village life is different and we follow our traditions religiously.”

“We spend so much money on the education of girl child and once she grows up, she does what she wants disregarding elders of the community, which we cannot tolerate. It is these traditions that have kept balance in society,” he added.

Another group of Khaps called the Punia Khap from Haryana also evokes its view on SC’s statement. Mahendra Punia, national general secretary of Punia Khap said, “We oppose same-gotra marriages. We abide by the laws of the land and everything cannot be wrong about khap.”

While the Tomar Khap leader Chaudhary Surender Singh disregarded SC’s observation completely.

“It is a matter of values and principles that we inculcate in our children. What has courts to do with this? Unki kaun sunta hai?” he said.

Picture credit- LiveMint

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