Samundar Singh Phor, spokesperson of Majra khap panchayat, and Jitender Singh Chhatar, spokesperson of Punia khap panchayat, said states such as Gujarat and a few others had enacted their own laws regarding love marriages and live-in relationships, but no such initiative had been taken in their state. They said only khap panchayats were consistently organising meetings on the issue, while political parties and social organisations were either supporting these laws or were afraid to speak against the government.The spokespersons said the Gujarat government had recently introduced a provision making parental consent necessary for love marriages, which they described as partially appropriate, but added that Haryana had a distinct social and cultural structure. The khap panchayats demanded that in cases of love marriage, restrictions related to same gotra, nearby villages (gohand), and the same village should be strictly maintained, and that consent of parents from both sides must be made mandatory. They also said live-in relationships had no place in their culture and demanded that such laws be repealed.Chhatar said the khap panchayats had met the chief minister three times, but apart from assurances, no concrete action had been taken. They urged all MLAs to raise the issue in the Assembly and bring a bill so that it became clear who stood for societal interests. MSID:: 128854164 413 |
