Stop being self-appointed conscience keepers of society: SC tells Khaps

The Supreme Court on Monday said that it would appoint a committee to protect couples entering into inter-caste marriages.

Further the court told the Khaps not become the self-appointed conscience keepers of society. There are courts and there is a law to deal with marriages prohibited by law, the Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said.

The advocate appearing for the Khaps in Haryana said that the Khaps help keep alive traditions that are centuries old. They are the conscience keepers of the society. He said that Khaps have evolved and only oppose sapinda and sagotra marriages.

We are not concerned about tradition, gotra etc. If something is illegal, the law and courts will take care not the Khaps, the court said.

The court also came out strongly against honour killing. It said that even if two adults within the prohibited degree of relation get married it is for the law to declare the marriage null and void. Khaps, parents or panchayats cannot resort to violence against couples.

The court made the remarks when hearing a petition against the Khap panchayats. It said that the committee would suggest ways on how to protect couples against violence directed by Khap Panchayats, parents and relatives.

OneIndia News