The Indian media recently buzzed with news regarding a preposterous sentence issued by a khap panchayat from Uttar Pradesh. Two Dalit sisters had approached the Apex Court seeking protection from an alleged khap diktat that said they should be raped as punishment for their brother's supposed elopement.
On August 17, the Supreme Court sought response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea from a Dalit woman from Baghpat district, who asked for protection for herself and her sister. She alleged that the khap had ruled the sisters be raped as punishment after their brother eloped with a married woman of the Jat community. However, in a twist of turns, the village locals were surprised and shocked when questioned about the diktat. Sarpanch, Bala said, “Ours is a very peaceful village. Whenever there's an issue, we sit together and resolve it. The news of a khap diktat has come as a shock to us. I am a Dalit and it is my responsibility to ensure their welfare and safety. Such extreme rumours are absolutely baseless.”
Baghpat SP Sharad Sachan revealed that no khap was organised in the village. “The matter is now in the Supreme Court, so I do not want to comment on any allegations and counter-allegations. However, as far as khap is concerned, no such event was organised, so where does the question of any diktat arise?”
Head of the khap panchayat of a cluster of 360 villages, Jeetendra Singh rubbished the allegations saying, “If something has to happen, then a collective decision is taken. In recent times there was not even a gathering of the panchayat. Where does the question of a diktat arise? Even if we assume that two representatives came from each village, then there will be more than 500 witnesses to the event. No such gathering has taken place. This is baseless and shocking.” Some see a conspiracy by Amnesty International behind this campaign.
Meanwhile, a Jat woman has approached a local court against the brother, charging him for molestation. She has alleged that the boy lured her by offering her a job with the Delhi police. She said, “He had told me that he will get me a job in Delhi as his brother and sister-in-law were employed there. He then took my school certificates and told me that he will fill the job form. In February this year, he told me we will have to go to Delhi. There, he and his brother sexually harassed me.” When asked why she didn't file a complaint earlier, she said, “My first marriage was called off, after I informed the family about the incident. My parents told me I would be an outcast and no one would marry me. That is why I did not inform the police.”
