Taking a strong exception to the
diktats passed by Khaps on matters of marriage, Supreme Court has
come out strongly against honour killings. Apex court said that even
if a young adults marry within the prohibited degree of relation
there are courts and law to declare it null and void.
CJI Dipak Misra warned that Khaps
should not become self-appointed conscience keepers when there is law
and courts to deal with marriages prohibited by law. He said that
irrespective of tradition, gotra, if there is illegality in marriage,
its is for law and courts to deal with it and not Khaps.
The court said that
a marriage between two adults was governed by the law. The Supreme
Court bench said it would set up a high-level committee consisting of
senior police officers to deal with issues relating to intervention
in marriages by bodies such as khap panchayats.
The SC had in the past said if an
adult man and woman marry, no khap, panchayat, individual or society
can question them. In a democracy, if an adult girl or boy gets into
marriage, no khap, no individual or no society can question them.
Khap panchayats or associations are
notorious for attacking men and women opting for inter- caste
marriage. Khaps are caste or community organisations in villages
which at times act as quasi-judicial bodies and pronounce harsh
punishments based on regressive and age-old customs and traditions.
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