KHAP PANCHAYAT'S new strategy is to gain popularity

Khap Panchayat’s new strategy is to gain popularity

By Harish K. Monga

The initiative taken by the Khap Panchayats of Haryana, with a view to inspire other Panchayats and woman of village Bibipur in district Jind to combat the menace of female foeticide, is appreciated.  In fact, in the days to come, it is to be seen as to whether the Khaps will override structural constraints to cast a new identity for themselves.

The legitimacy of the khap panchayat as an institution touched the lowest ebb in recent times, which was a cause of concern for its political supporters, the ruling as well as thje major opposition party,both being ardent supports of khaps.

It is a thousand pities even after 64 years of Independence, India is still talking of and suffering from caste obsessions and gender problem.  But Khap Panchayast have shown to the entire country how such bodies can bring about a social change for the good of the humanity.  In fact, imbalanced sex ratio is a big social problem and needs to be checked with commitment and political will.

There is no doubt about the fact that 21^st century belongs to women.  The women are dong exceedingly well in every sphere of life.  Whether sports, entrepreneurship or civil services, women are doing well.  Gone are the days when women were treated as a piece of decoration at home.  Today’s women are very apt at flexing professional muscle as deftly as maternal instincts.

Thousands of women had already participated in the Maha Panchayat and came forward to debate the sensitive issue of female foeticide and seek solutions within the structure of Khap.

There is a need to organize awareness camps with the help of Khap Panchayats in Haryana, to change the mindset of people, if they are really serious about the female child, to set an example for the rest of the country.  The motive behind this new strategy to save the girl child, is also to gain popularity which it has lost due to number of honour killings for violating the human rights and functioning as a parallel judicial system.

The future of Jats of Khap Panchayats, who are known for being energetic, resourceful, hardworking and rebellious against all kinds of wrong doings, will be dark unless they carry with them load of social issues which are not in the interest of the masses, on their backs.