<p>Haryana’s Satrol khap panchayat has made history with a landmark decision on marriage. It has lifted its opposition to inter-caste marriage in villages under its control. <br /><br />This will mean that couples belonging to different castes can get married without fear of incurring the wrath of the village as has been the case for centuries. <br /><br />Hitherto, inter-caste marriage was forbidden by caste rules imposed by khap panchayats, often violently. </p>.<p>The recent decision will be welcomed by those keen to marry outside their caste. </p>.<p>It has the potential to usher in social change, as well. Inter-caste marriage will break caste barriers. <br /><br />Since the Satrol khap panchayat is Haryana’s largest, its decision could influence other panchayats. <br /><br />That several khap panchayats have applauded its decision is heartening. They must follow this up with action. <br /><br />Alongside allowing inter-caste marriages, the Satrol khap panchayats has also given the green signal to inter-village marriages. <br /><br />Hitherto, people were not allowed to marry within a radius of 42 villages. They can do so henceforth.<br /><br /> However, people of the same village will not be allowed to marry as are those of the same gotra. </p>.<p>Objection to consanguineous marriage is understandable to some extent given the risks of genetic defects in offspring but a same-gotra marriage cannot be regarded as intra-family any longer given the fact that a gotra today includes millions of people. <br /><br />It must be noted however that the Satrol khap’s new mantra does not stem from any social awakening or change in the outlook of its members. </p>.<p>Rather it is a response to adversity. Female foeticide is rampant in Haryana and has resulted in a precipitous fall in the number of girls. </p>.<p>This has forced men to look for brides outside Haryana. <br /><br />Unhappy with its youth marrying outside the region, the panchayat decided to allow inter-caste marriage and inter-village marriage. </p>.<p>Thus while it is allowing inter-caste marriage, its retrograde outlook remains in place.<br /><br /> Worryingly, the panchayat has announced that couples must seek the permission of their parents before they marry. <br /><br />Khap panchayats are illegal entities and are notoriously patriarchal and feudal in their mindset. </p>.<p>The Satrol khap panchayat’s decision to allow inter-caste marriage underscores their potential for ushering in change. </p>.<p>Reforming rather than rejecting khap panchayats maybe the way we need to deal with them. It could prove more rewarding.</p>
<p>Haryana’s Satrol khap panchayat has made history with a landmark decision on marriage. It has lifted its opposition to inter-caste marriage in villages under its control. <br /><br />This will mean that couples belonging to different castes can get married without fear of incurring the wrath of the village as has been the case for centuries. <br /><br />Hitherto, inter-caste marriage was forbidden by caste rules imposed by khap panchayats, often violently. </p>.<p>The recent decision will be welcomed by those keen to marry outside their caste. </p>.<p>It has the potential to usher in social change, as well. Inter-caste marriage will break caste barriers. <br /><br />Since the Satrol khap panchayat is Haryana’s largest, its decision could influence other panchayats. <br /><br />That several khap panchayats have applauded its decision is heartening. They must follow this up with action. <br /><br />Alongside allowing inter-caste marriages, the Satrol khap panchayats has also given the green signal to inter-village marriages. <br /><br />Hitherto, people were not allowed to marry within a radius of 42 villages. They can do so henceforth.<br /><br /> However, people of the same village will not be allowed to marry as are those of the same gotra. </p>.<p>Objection to consanguineous marriage is understandable to some extent given the risks of genetic defects in offspring but a same-gotra marriage cannot be regarded as intra-family any longer given the fact that a gotra today includes millions of people. <br /><br />It must be noted however that the Satrol khap’s new mantra does not stem from any social awakening or change in the outlook of its members. </p>.<p>Rather it is a response to adversity. Female foeticide is rampant in Haryana and has resulted in a precipitous fall in the number of girls. </p>.<p>This has forced men to look for brides outside Haryana. <br /><br />Unhappy with its youth marrying outside the region, the panchayat decided to allow inter-caste marriage and inter-village marriage. </p>.<p>Thus while it is allowing inter-caste marriage, its retrograde outlook remains in place.<br /><br /> Worryingly, the panchayat has announced that couples must seek the permission of their parents before they marry. <br /><br />Khap panchayats are illegal entities and are notoriously patriarchal and feudal in their mindset. </p>.<p>The Satrol khap panchayat’s decision to allow inter-caste marriage underscores their potential for ushering in change. </p>.<p>Reforming rather than rejecting khap panchayats maybe the way we need to deal with them. It could prove more rewarding.</p>
