NHRC'S STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED DIKTATS OF KHAP PANCHAYATS<br>

The National Human Rights Commission has taken note of media reports alleging that the Khap (Caste) Panchayats in Haryana are indulging in acts of violence against the Hindu couples marrying in the same gotra. It has also taken note of their alleged demand of an amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act, banning the marriages in the same gotra on the ground that such marriages will amount to marriage between a brother and a sister unacceptable among Hindus as per tradition. The Commission is of the view that no one has the right to take law in his hand by violating an individual's right to life in the name of tradition. The Commission has issued notices to the public authorities wherein complaints or media reports have alleged violence against the couples married in the same gotra or inter-caste in parts of Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, and has asked them to take action against those responsible for such acts violating the human rights of the people. It has also asked the concerned State Authorities in Uttar Pradesh in a particular case of this nature to inform the Commission about the steps taken by them to deal with such issues for preventing interference by the Khap Panchayat in the Criminal Justice System (Case No. 16755/24/2005-06-WC). The issue of amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act, banning same gotra marriages is a subject matter of wider debate keeping in view the national perspective on the social, cultural and traditional aspects, as well as an individual's right to liberty as enshrined in the Constitution.