Mind your own business, HC tells khaps
The stern warning of the Haryana High Court to the Khap Panchayats was necessary in the wake of innocent killings of young couples. The chief justice of Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal along with Justice Jasbir Singh have rightly reminded the Khap Panchayats that they should carry on their minds legally instead of indulging on illegal activities. The Kahp Panchayats filed a petition in the Haryana High Court asking an amendment in the existing Hindu Marriage Act.
In a free democracy every individual has the right to chose his/her partner for marriage within the ambit of the country’s law, the court observed. The angry Chief Justice in clear term has reiterated the right of individuals to defy old customs, and said that as long as the couple is not breaching the country’s law, everything is ok. The panchayat leaders can force their children to follow the old customs if they so wish, but cannot impose the same rule on others, as the law does not accept that, the CJ opines.
The whole controversy arose in the name of same ‘gotra’ marriage that the Khap Panchayats oppose vehemently. The panchayat leaders also ordered killing of the couple in instances of same gotra marriage. This is simple murder in the name of honor killing.
The High Court referred the rulings of the Apex Court, where no intimation was given against the same gotra marriage. The HC refused to bring any change in the Hindu Marriage Act in regards to same gotra marriages.
The Akhil Bhartiya Jat Swabhiman Sangathan’s ultimatum to the Haryana government with a dead line of 22 April should not be entertained by the state government at any cost. The Sarvjatiya Mahasammelan that is scheduled to be held by the sangathan on 23 April for chalking out their next plan of agitation on this subject matter should be tackled with nononsense term by the state government, otherwise, the problem would spread like a disease.
The manoj – Babli murderers must be punished adequately to send a clear message in the same gotra marriage incidents.