Haryana CM backs Khap panchayats, says they are like NGOs

Chandigarh, Feb 7: Yet another chief minister has backed Khaps and other such kangaroo courts, which have drawn criticism from all quarters.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday defended them, saying that Khaps are part of our culture. "Khap are just like NGOs", he said.

Khaps are part of our culture, said Hooda

Earlier, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had shared similar opinion about Khap panchayat. Khaps are part of culture and they serve 'cultural purposes', he had said. Kejriwal had added that there is no question of banning these panchayats.

Countering Kejriwal's view, union minister P Chidambaram said, "What is a khap panchayat? A khap panchayat is a retrograde organisation. It is not part of India's culture and I am appalled to see somebody say it's part of India's culture. How can it be part of India's culture?".

Khap panchayats are village groups, mainly in north India which functions as quasi-judicial bodies that pronounce harsh punishments based on age-old customs and traditions.

Oneindia News

(With PTI inputs)