New Delhi: The India’s Chief Justice Dipak Misra warned Khap Panchayats on Monday that they should not be “custodian of conscience” and it was said that no one should interfere if two people want to get married.
The Chief Justice had heard a petition to prevent family assassinations on ‘honor’ filed by NGO (non-government organization – NGO) Shakti Vahini. The CJI said whether they are parents, society or anyone, they are out of it. Nobody, individual or collective, or group, has the right to intervene in marriage.
The Supreme Court was referring to the petition filed by Shakti Vahini, who has ask prohibited such crimes and in Khap panchayats or self-appointed village courts, especially Haryana, in parts of North India, believe that it is for their medieval defense Is duty and traditions and themselves act like a law while “punished” couples who marry against the wishes of their family.
The lawyer representing Khap Panchayat told the Supreme Court that they are against such killings and also said that they never protest against inter caste or inter-religious marriage. They oppose marriage only between the sapands (marriage between two cousins). That, According to Section 5 (V) of Hindu Marriage Act, marriage between sapindas is prohibited. The lawyer said Khap panchayats encouraged inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. Marriage between sapindas is opposed because they are considered as siblings. The Supreme Court, however, have objection on the same, Law will take its own path, who are you interfering? CJI Dipak Misra asked. The Khap Panchayat’s counsel replied, “We are the custodians of discrimination”. “Do not be discreet guardians, if two adults want to get married, then do not interfere,” CJI shot back.
That, we are not concerned about Khap Panchayat, we are only worried about the rights of the couple to get married. Whether marriage is good or bad or this advice is given, we are out of it,” the top court said.