Khap panchayats: changing perspectives

Khap is a cluster of villages united by caste and geography. It is as old as 14th century started by upper caste jats to consolidate their power and position. The main rule is that all boys and girls within a khap are considered siblings. Khap panchayat governs the khap formed by same gotra (clan) families from several neighboring villages. Khap panchayats are prevalent in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Parts of Rajasthan. Love marriages are considered taboo in areas governed by Khap panchayats. Those living in a Khap are not allowed to marry in the same gotra or even in any gotra from the same village. Many young couples have been killed in the past defying khap rules. This paper is based upon the role of Khap Panchayats and trying to evaluate the position of khap panchayats that how can they come up in the changing modern society.