Khap Panchayat: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) supports diktat of Baghpat khap panchayat

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) supports diktat of Baghpat Khap Panchayat

LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA: After Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), the Rashtriy Lok Dal (RLD) and All India Jat Arakshan Samiti (AIJAS) have also come out in support the diktat of a Panchayat at the Asara village of District Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh. The diktat puts restrictions on the movement of girls and women.

Rashtriy Lok Dal (RLD MP and the party chief Ajit Singh's son Jayant Chaudhary visited the Panchayat members on Saturday. Later, talking to Media Persons, he said: "Everybody has a right to manage the affairs of one's family the way they want. They (the Panchayat members) are doing just that. It is no diktat. It is a mere suggestion from their side." He however cleverly avoided answering direct media queries on the issue of women's rights and whether the Panchayat orders were infringing them.

Asara village falls in the parliamentary constituency of the Rashtriy Lok Dal (RLD chief Chaudhary Ajit Singh. Earlier, a meeting was held at the village and it was decided that a Mahapanchayat would be held on July 21 in which Khap Panchayats from other parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana will also be invited.

While Uttar Pradesh's senior minister Mohammed Azam Khan has already said that the Panchayat decision did not merit any action unless it clashed with the laws of the land, Union home minister P Chidambaram insisted that such Panchayat diktats and fatwas had no place in a civil society.

Khap leader slams Chidambaram

Meanwhile, All India Jat Arakshan Samiti (AIJAS) has also supported the ban. "We endorse the decision taken by Panchayat in Asara village and will ask all the Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh and adjoining states to follow it," Mr. Yashpal Malik, President of AIJAS, told TOI. He slammed the Central government and Union home minister P Chidambaram for calling Khap Panchayat and their decisions undemocratic. He said that a section of media is painting Khap Panchayat in bad light. "We are also opposing to dowry system and female feticide but it is not being highlighted. Instead the decisions we take for orderliness in the society in accordance with our traditions are dubbed as 'Talibani'," he said.

"We have no objection in Mr. Chidambaram wearing a south India dress and following traditions of the community he belongs. Similarly, he should have no objection if people of other communities want to follow their own tradition and personal code. The decision taken by the Panchayat in Asra Village was an `advisory' and not a `diktat'," said Yashpal Malik. "The advisory also included restriction on boys from taking photograph of girls on mobile phone to check its misuse. Similarly, it restricted both men and women from using ear phones while walking or driving because it can lead to accident. Girls were asked not to visit a mela following complaints of eve-teasing. Boy found involved in eve-teasing were punished," Malik added. 

Further, Malik said "Girls and women were asked to cover head as per the tradition. Restriction of love marriage has been after boys and girls of 15-16 years age eloped. This is the age for education and not marriage. It was clearly stated in the instructions that those who don't want to follow can go elsewhere, hence Panchayat did not impose anything on people. In India, one finds variety of customs and traditions. In south, a girl can be married to maternal uncle but here a boy and girl of a village are considered to be siblings because for us entire village is a family." Pointing out towards the proposed law of the central government on banning Khap Panchayats, he warned that such a move will force JATS to launch a massive agitation. 

All India Jat Arakshan Samiti (AIJAS) is an umbrella body of various Jat associations which was formed to push the demand of granting Jats status of other backward class and subsequent benefit of reservation in central government services and educational institutions. The AIJAS had last year in March blocked rail routes in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab for 20 days throwing normal life out gear. 

On Wednesday, The Panchayat in Asara village in District Baghpat's Ramala area had issued instructions restricting movement of women and girls. The instructions included covering of head by women whenever they leave home, a complete ban on love marriages and those doing so would not be allowed to live in the village, no mobile phones for girls and only women above 40 years of age were allowed to venture out of house for work among other things. 

Local residents claimed the Panchayat had issued the directives after a consensus was reached on them by members several communities living in the village. On Friday, a police team was attacked when it went there to question village head in connection with the diktat. In Lucknow, Urban development and Minority affair minister Mr. Azam Khan also issued a statement saying that he does not find anything wrong in a `group of villagers expressing their opinion'. Khan's statement is being seen as `appeasement' of Muslims and hardliners in west UP from where Azam comes. BKU president and chief of Baliyan khap panchayat Mr. Naresh Tikait had also supported the diktat of Asara Village Panchayat. 

THE JAT is a highly patriarchal ethnic group having presence in Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of north India. Their population is believed to be around 8.25 crore across nine states in India. In UP, their population is around 2.75 crore. In terms of percentage, JATS are only 6-7% of the total population of Uttar Pradesh, but they constitute 17% of the populace in the Western Uttar Pradesh and can affect elections in 55 assembly constituencies and 10 lok Sabha constituencies. In Mathura Jats are 40% of the population and around 30% in Baghpat. Known for their Khap Panchayat diktats, JATS in Uttar Pradesh basically an agrarian community.

Reference By: timesofindia.com

Now Panchayat in Nirana Village of District Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh bans graveyard space for migrant Muslims

Now Panchayat in Nirana Village of District Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh bans graveyard space for migrant Muslims

MUZAFFARNAGAR, LUCKNOW, INDIA: Panchayats of western UP are known for issuing bizarre and at times unconstitutional diktats. Now a Panchayat in Muzaffarnagar has come up with yet another one. A community Panchayat of Nirana village has issued an order banning migrant Muslim families from burying their deceased relatives at the public graveyard.

According to reports, the Nirana village Panchayat, after a meeting decided that burial of only those who have lived in the village for more than 30 years will be allowed in the graveyard. Shortage of space in the graveyard due to a growing number of migrants in the village was cited as the main reason for the directive.

In most cases, the government machinery does not act against Panchayats issuing such harsh diktats but fortunately in this case, the district administration of Muzaffarnagar reacted. Officials of the district administration said that Panchayat's decision will not be followed and action will be taken against those found guilty.

According to the officials who visited the village, Nirana has a huge graveyard which was recently divided into three parts by the villagers for burial as per their castes. However, the number of people settled in the village registered a sharp increase over the last few years thereby finding burial space at the graveyard a difficult task.

Muslim clerics, however, have criticized the diktat. UP Imam Organization President Mr. Mufti Zulfikar Ali, while talking to media persons, said that the order of the village Panchayat was against the law and the tenets of Islam. He said that every Muslim has the right to bury the deceased of his family at the public graveyard.

Recently, a Panchayat in village Asra of Baghpat had banned love marriages and barred women from carrying mobile phones and venturing out of the house without a male escort. Those who disagreed were told to leave the village. Many politicians across all parties have supported the Panchayat.

Reference By: timesofindia.com

Panchayat in Asara Village of District Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) issues Talibani diktat for women

Panchayat in Asara Village of District Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) issues Talibani diktat for women

BAGPAT, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA: In a country where women have served on the country's highest Constitutional posts, the fairer sex is being made to live the Taliban way in Asara village of Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh, barely 50km from the national capital New Delhi.

The Village panchayat has put a total ban on women under 40 years from visiting local markets, using cellphones and being seen in public without their head covered. Ironically, when approached by the media persons, the women residents of the village first supported the ban, but when probed further there were many voices of protest.

The Village panchayat has also issued instructions that anyone resorting to love-marriage will face a total boycott from community and those found helping them out will be dealt with similarly. The Village panchayat will also make efforts to ensure that such couples are kept outside the village. The Village panchayat is of the view that such restrictions will help ensure that young boys and girls with 'naive' minds are not driven towards "filmi love affairs" and spoil their life.

The contention of the The Village panchayat is that the use of mobiles by young boys and girls has led to a sharp increase in instances of eve-teasing and elopement in the region. "This unrestricted communication is the main cause of such objectionable union of the naive minds who take steps which brings ridicule and embarrassment to their parents and their communities," said a panchayat member refusing to identify himself on grounds that the media was raking up the issue unnecessarily. "The The Village panchayat has decided not entertain the media on the issue," he said.

About the restriction on women below 40 venturing out to the weekly markets with no male or elderly family member accompanying them, another panchayat member said: "You people are twisting the turning the things at your convenience. Our belief is that if you want to go out for some genuine reason then what is the harm in being accompanied by an elderly, be it your parents or any other family member?" he questioned.

But the 'Talibani' restrictions on women have led to some sharp reactions from women activists across the state and beyond. "This is ridiculous. Why are the restrictions on women only? Why the village panchayat doesn’t stops men from visiting the weekly market instead of women. If men are kept away, the atmosphere will be equally secure for women at the market" says Shaista Amber, president and founder of the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIWPLB).

Madhu Garg, a social activist, says that such decisions of a panchayat should be countered head on. Gang, who is president of the UP chapter of All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA), says the government should intervene immediately and set the things right.

Baghpat superintendent of police VK Shekhar however has a slightly different point of view. He believes that action can be initiated only if the move is in contrast with the law of the land or there is a complaint from any of the local residents saying that such tenets were against their fundamental rights.

Asked about the police action initiated in the incident, Mr. VK Shekhar said he has sought a report from the local police station on the entire issue. "If the police find there is anything that is against the law of the land, we will surely initiate action," he said.

Reference By: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Haryana Khaps Leaders withdraw invite to Aamir Khan

ROHTAK, HARYANA, INDIA: Leaders of khap panchayats in Haryana have stalled a move to invite Bollywood actor Aamir Khan to the gathering of all panchayats on the issue of female feticide in Bibipur village of Jind district on July 14. The Nogama khap panchayat, which is hosting the first of its kind mahapanchayat, had decided to send invitation to Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao. However, it decided against it on Tuesday, following pressure from powerful leaders of other khaps, who are angry with the actor for portraying them "in poor light" over the issue of honour killings in one of the episode's of his television show 'Satyamev Jayate'.
"He (Aamir) has tried to lower the dignity of khap panchayats in his show by associating honour killing with khap panchayats. We even sought to distance ourselves from the occurrence of ghastly killings which are mostly perpetrated by the kin (of woman who bears a female child), but he continued in same vein. This has irked all khap panchayats and we have decided not to share any stage with him on any issue," said Kuldeep Singh Dhanda of Barah khap.
Kuldeep said the khap leaders had expressed their objections against inviting the actor to the mahapanchayat organizers.
The mahapanchayat will be organised in Bibipur village, which had recently hosted the first meeting of all-woman gram sabha on female foeticide issue. The Union panchayat raj ministry had appreciated the village's initiative on the issue to curtail the widening sex ratio in Haryana.
The young sarpanch of Bibipur,Mr. Sunil Jaglan, who had played a crucial role in awakening the women of his village to take up the social cause, maintained that he had requested the Nogama khap panchayat to invite Aamir as he too had highlighted this problem through his TV show. The khap panchayats have appreciated Aamir's attempt to save the girl child by speaking put against female foeticide.


Reference: http: //www.timesofindia.com/

Saharanpur DIG Mr. Satish Kumar Mathur transferred over honor killing remarks

LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh, India: Uttar Pradesh government late on Thursday evening shifted deputy inspector general (DIG), Saharanpur range, Mr. Satish Kumar Mathur, who publicly endorsing 'honor killing'. Suprintendent of Police (SP) Mr. Santkabir Nagar Dharmendra Singh was also transferred for his remarks that police's priority is to catch thieves and not girls who have eloped. Both the officers were given insignificant postings. While the DIG was attached with office of the director general of police in Lucknow, the SP was shifted to Gonda as commandant of 30th provincial arms constabulary. 

The action was taken after intervention of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The latter intervened following public outrage and widespread criticism. The National Commission for Women had also written to the chief minister to suspend the two officers. Though the UP police administration had ordered an inquiry against Saharanpur DIG on Wednesday but no action was taken. In fact, senior police officers defended the DIG saying that he was quoted out of context. However, on Thursday morning, Akhilesh Yadav Ji, while replying to media queries assured that he will take action against the DIG. ""It's a serious matter. If what has been shown on TV channels is correct, action will take place. Law and order is a challenge in UP, but we have called a meeting of officers on law and order on the May 18"". The promise of action against the top ranking police official has come in view of growing public outrage over the shocking remark,"" he said. 

The Saharanpur DIG Mr. Satish was on Tuesday caught on camera snubbing one Mr. Shaukeen Mohammad, who had come to seek help for recovery of his 14-year daughter kidnapped by some local musclemen. The DIG told Mohammad, a resident of Kaserwa village of Prabudhnagar district, to kill his daughter if she has eloped with somebody. While Mohammad feared that his daughter could be raped and killed by the abductors, who have a criminal record, the DIG remarked ""I don't have magical power to recover your daughter. But if she has eloped, you should be ashamed of it and end your life. I would have committed suicide or killed my sister if she had eloped."" After the matter was highlighted in the media, the girl was recovered by the police from Haridwar and handed over to parents.

Meanwhile, SP Santkabir Nagar was caught on camera, while addressing media persons, saying that the police has to catch thieves and not girls.


Sources: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Suspected honor killing in Bhiwani, Haryana, India

 Honour Killing in India

BHIWANI, HARYANA, INDIA: In a suspected case of honor killing, a man reportedly shot dead his minor daughter in Rewari Khera village of Bhiwani district on Sunday night and cremated her body secretly. Police have registered a case of murder against him and started investigations.

Accused Ratan Pal reportedly shot dead his 15-year-old daughter, Nisha, a student of class X, on Sunday night in their house. The family however said it was an accidental death as the girl pressed the trigger while holding it. The body was cremated hurriedly without informing police.

Sources said that a villager informed police about the incident after which Bhiwani SP B Satheesh Balan, along with forensic experts, visited the cremation ground and collected samples for investigation.

The SP told TOI that a case under section 302 has been registered against the father, who is absconding. "We have started investigations into the incident. The motive behind the murder is unclear so far", he said.

Police sources however disclosed that the accused, who is an ex-serviceman and now employed with a foreign embassy in Delhi, had returned home on Sunday. "Some arguments seemed to have taken place between the girl and father after which the accused fired at her", they added.

Meanwhile, the SP has placed the incharge of Gurgani police post under suspension on charges of negligence in duty as he failed to act swiftly after the matter was reported to police by an anonymous caller.

 Reference:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Suspected-honor-killing-in-Bhiwani/articleshow/12078713.cms