We Indians always boast about our rich cultural heritage, traditions, civilization and unity in diversity in full throated voices. Much have been talked about and written about and still harp on all the afore-mentioned matters with excessive pride. Down the ages I think instead of growing, a declining trend is sadly visible across our nation. A nation once felt proud about the equality of women on a par with men in all fields of social life now finds itself running in the opposite direction. I mean, across India especially in the remote corners of each States women have turned out to be mere tools or toys in the hands of men. High talks of women breaking the glass-ceilings, scaling new heights by the ruling elite notwithstanding, do virtually nothing. Much in the field of women empowerment by providing the facilities for education, job opportunities, health, child-care, nutritious food and all such indispensable matters need to be done. On the contrary they continue to be harassed at workplaces, homes, physically and sexually and mentally tortured and are languishing within the confines of their habitats. Adding fuel to the fire millions still remain homeless and are forced to sleep on the pavements, rail-platforms, make-shift tents and tin-roofed slums. A woman President, Dalit Speaker, Congress President occupying high positions in our land do not mean down the line all other women are well-placed. I mentioned Pratibha Patil, Meira Kumar and Sonia Gandhi in this context just to dispel the notion if any that the status and progress of our women are on an upward trajectory. It is vice-versa actually. Even the decades old demand for 33 percent reservation in the Assemblies and Parliament still hanging fire due to the obstinacy of a cross-section of male-chauvinist politicians. Here the cardinal need for imparting education to the women in all spheres of society gains prominence. Sadly in our land this is not the case. Education, more and more education is a powerful weapon to all men and women as a whole and it provides all the ability and opportunity to become conscious of their rights, duties and obligations to the nation as a whole. Higher education opportunities need to be extended to all especially women to fight for their rights and provide them the initiative to seize the opportunities which come their way. Mere chanting of 33 percent reservation in Assemblies and Parliament slogan, to a certain extent desirable though, is not enough while those at the bottom ladder are still reeling under illiteracy, poverty and malnourishment. So be it.
Recently a news item purported to be that of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana Chief Minister applauding the 'Khap Panchayats'( Khap = clan) for the great services rendered by them was reported in a National newspaper which I happened to go through. The man reportedly was praising the role of 'Khap Panchayats' and its services to the people down the years.
An unfortunate phenomenon nowadays going on in Northern India especially Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar ,Delhi and a few North Indian States, simply put, is horrible and blood-chilling obviously at the behest of those at the head of Khap Panchayats.
As per the norms of Khap Panchayats it is something intolerable and violation of age-old custom prevailing there if a girl of marriageable age falls in love with a boy of marriageable age of the same clan (gotra) and if they decide to marry and live peacefully these 'Panchayat Heads' will take up cudgels against them taking exception to their violation of the norms. Even some of the close-relatives who follow the age-old custom and rules of khap panchayats take umbrage at the relationship from the same clan and go to the extent of finishing them off. It is often immaterial as far as the Panchayat heads are concerned whether they get married with the consent and blessings of their parents as per the reports appearing in the media. The fears of being hunted by the Panchayat men and the consequent nightmares often lead them to courts seeking protection to live peacefully. Elopement of both to some unknown places and settle there from the hunters is even not a solution or solace. Whenever and where ever they are traced, then and there they are tackled forever. 'Honour Killings' it is fondly termed, recently are widespread in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar and even our Capital New Delhi. Scenes of weeping parents over the fate of their children are often seen in the visual and print media. Such painful sights make us angry and our eyes go wet often. Is it a crime if a girl of her own volition falls in love with a boy of the same 'gotra' (clan) and decides to marry him and lead a peaceful life? Even the courts offer them protection, order security for them from the hunters. Even court directions are often violated and whenever the eagle with the prying eyes spot them, they are done with mercilessly cold-bloodedly. Is this nothing but the rule of the jungle or worse than that?
Here comes the need of providing education to all and thereby enlightening all in the society. The laws of the jungle, the cruelties, intolerance and all such evil practices will gradually, eventually vanish from the land. The govts. both at the Centre and in the States have to raise to the occasion and take all possible measures to alleviate the harassment and sufferings of the entire lot.
Every panchayat "Khap" or "No Khap" should have to exist for the welfare and prosperity of all concerned.
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