Jindal shocks with support to Khap Panchayats

Chandigarh, May 10: Young and educated Congress MP, Naveen Jindal, has shocked the country by coming to the defense of the Khap Panchayats, which have recently emerged in the negative light in the media over the Taliban-like justice meted out to people.

On Sunday, May 9, Jindal came out in support of the Haryana khap panchayats' (caste councils) demand for amending the Hindu Marriage Act to ban marriages within the same 'gotra' or sub-caste.

He has reportedly written a letter to the panchayat representatives declaring his support to them and their demands.

As per media reports, the industrialist MP has opined that these Panchayats had always given a 'new direction' to the society.

Acknowledging that these panchayats have existed since the time of great rulers like Ashoka and Harshvardhan, the Kurukshetra MP also showered praises on the Panchayats in his letter.

In the latest development, the MP has reportedly vowed to take the Khap message to the Parliament.

"I have agreed to carry their message and sentiments to the party and Parliament and supported their fight against social ills," Jindal told leading newspaper, Times of India.

In Apr 2010, Haryana Khap panchayats sought an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act seeking a ban on marriages within the same 'gotra' or subcaste.

The demand came when they were protesting against the conviction of six people, Khap Panchayat leader Ganga Raj, in honour killing of a couple. The convicted had acted on the directions of a panchyat.

OneIndia News