Khaps in Haryana at Cross Roads

[DrRajpalSingh]

Undoubtedly Khaps have been playing significant role in the social and political field in the life of the people of vast region located in North Western India for long. But with the onset of democracy in India the grass root democratic panchayati Raj institutions have assumed charge to function for the welfare of the villages. Thus either the Khaps activities became dormant or limited to social field only leaving the political moorings of the people as their individual right.

This has led to cut in the influence of the Khap and caste panchayats whose role has been marginalised considerably. However, in recent years there are discernible attempts of the Khaps to re-establish their historical role in politics too especially in the Jat dominated parts of the above mentioned region.

In a recent meeting in Haryana in a meeting of some of the Khap leaders, it was envisaged to come together and decide to favour only one political party. It is to be seen whether all other Khaps across Haryana and also in other states of India would endorse the suggestion or not.

A big debate on the issue seems to be in offing among the Khaps themselves. The views of the members of the site are invited on the issue.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Read the news item Khap leaders divided over support to political parties from the Tribune, Chandigarh dated 8 August, 2014 for ready reference to understand the new tangle

and

also the new angle in the thinking of some of the Khap leaders:

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140808/haryana.htm#1

[skharb]

khap orr rajniti ye khap m rahney wale acchey s samjhate h ..............syad ye koi issue nahi h

[DrRajpalSingh]

khap orr rajniti ye khap m rahney wale acchey s samjhate h ..............syad ye koi issue nahi h

It would be a big issue in the ensuing Haryana Assembly elections.

The first and only woman leader to be included as President of Women Jat Khap Panchayat has already declared support for congress.

It would be worth notice if her directive would be followed or neglected.

[anilsangwan]

Dear Friend,
Voter today is very clever. No one follows khap leader diktats when it comes to casting votes. Moreover, these khap leaders do not have any political mass base... 100-200 parchi inne unne... kyu ghabrave !

It would be a big issue in the ensuing Haryana Assembly elections.

The first and only woman leader to be included as President of Women Jat Khap Panchayat has already declared support for congress.

It would be worth notice if her directive would be followed or neglected.

[DrRajpalSingh]

Dear Friend,
Voter today is very clever. No one follows khap leader diktats when it comes to casting votes. Moreover, these khap leaders do not have any political mass base... 100-200 parchi inne unne... kyu ghabrave !

Friend,

This is right conclusion.

But it cannot be denied that by extending their open political leanings by Khap leaders to some party or the other in the forthcoming elections to the Vidhan sabha in Haryana, will surely have impact on the Khap functioning in social field too.

There would be allegations of partisanship against such leaders in future which would cause loss to the validity of Khap's as impartial institutions of the society as a whole.

My contention here was to find out the opinion of the participants if the present scenario allows Khap leaders to meddle in politics and then claim to be representatives of the community as a whole when social issues confront them !

Thanks and best wishes

[anilsangwan]

Dear friend,

You are right. Also, it has been a history that if someone from Khaps have got himself pushed to politics - has not been much successful.
So those who are throwing open support due to their personal vested interests, will surely get to know the reality.

It has been a history that most of these "Panchayti" candidates get their security deposit lost.

Friend,

This is right conclusion.

But it cannot be denied that by extending their open political leanings by Khap leaders to some party or the other in the forthcoming elections to the Vidhan sabha in Haryana, will surely have impact on the Khap functioning in social field too.

There would be allegations of partisanship against such leaders in future which would cause loss to the validity of Khap's as impartial institutions of the society as a whole.

My contention here was to find out the opinion of the participants if the present scenario allows Khap leaders to meddle in politics and then claim to be representatives of the community as a whole when social issues confront them !

Thanks and best wishes