In Haryana, a long established system of justice is still alive in the form of Khap Panchayats. Times of India today ran a full page segment on this system of law and order.
While there may be some benefits of having the local elders deciding on how punishments should be metted out, what is disturbing is what are considered crimes by these elders and how these crimes are punished.
From what I have read, the punishments range from flogging, rape and eviction. Some of the crimes include marriage within the same gotra and love marriages.
One quote that has become famous is "Love marriages are dirty, I don’t even want to repeat the word...Only whores can choose their partners". This was reported in Times of India today.
One awful story told was that of a young girl who fell in love. She was apparently stripped naked and hung from a tree.
Education is frowned upon by these panchayats, who state that this is the reason for most of the errant behaviour. This in a state that has the lowest sex ratio in India, and competes with Punjab for that position.
What should the government be doing about these honour killings I wonder?
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