Cabinet decides to refer Khap Panchayat issue to GoM
July 8th, 2010 - 2:41 pm ICT by ANI
New Delhi, July 8 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to refer the controversial Khap Panchayat issue to a Group of Ministers (GoM).
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: “The GoM will be set up to consider amendments to the law to deal with honour killings.
“The views of the state government would also be taken on board on the issue which is related to honour killings,” Soni added.
Soni further said that the Bill on honour killings would be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Under the present legal system, anyone participating in a Khap Panchayat could at best be roped in for being a party to the conspiracy that generally attracts a maximum punishment ranging from five years to a life term.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had sought a response from the central government and eight states including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand on the honour killing issue.
The apex court directed the authorities to explain measures being taken to prevent such heinous crimes.
Khap is a cluster of villages united by caste and geography. Its origins go back to the 14th century. It was started by upper caste Jats to consolidate their power and positions.The main rule of a Khap is that boys and girls within a group of villages are considered siblings, and any violation of this compromises the community’s honour and tradition, uniting punitive action.
Such action can include social boycott, imposition of fines, and in extreme cases, killing or forcing the guilty to commit suicide. (ANI)
- Jat leaders protest against government stand on Khap traditions - Jul 27, 2010
- Bill against honour killing likely in monsoon session: Girija Vyas - Apr 06, 2011
- What are khap panchayats? - May 11, 2010
- Khap leaders to seek review of apex court direction - Apr 24, 2011
- Mirchpur caste violence: Protests spread to more areas (Lead) - Jan 24, 2011
- Haryana's killer khaps are a law unto themselves - Mar 30, 2010
- Mirchpur violence: Jat protest enters 11th day - Jan 25, 2011
- Manoj-Babli case: Punjab and Haryana HC commutes death sentence to life imprisonment - Mar 11, 2011
- Jindal supports Haryana's caste councils - May 09, 2010
- Jindal backs caste councils, attends meeting (Lead, Changing dateline) - May 10, 2010
- Moily rules out amending Hindu Marriage Act to accommodate Khaps - May 11, 2010
- Divisions among Khap leaders, another meeting called May 23 (Second Lead) - Apr 13, 2010
- Mirchpur violence: Jat conclave wants fresh CBI probe - Jan 15, 2011
- Law tightens noose around Haryana's community courts - Mar 29, 2010
- Law tightens noose around Haryana's community courts (Lead) - Mar 29, 2010
Tags: 14th century, ambika soni, apex, apex court, bihar, boycott, boys and girls, central government, compromises, extreme cases, heinous crimes, honour killings, imposition, jharkhand, maximum punishment, monsoon session, punitive action, rajasthan, union cabinet, upper caste