Khap Panchayats and Their Strength: A Socio-Political Analysis of Khap Panchayats of Northwest India (Jat Dominated Region)

Khap Panchayats are socio-political and judicial organizations which enjoy some sort of authority among the Gotras of their caste. In this system, all members of Khap Panchayat in Khap take unilateral, quick and incontestable decisions on multiple issues like social transgression, marriage and land disputes, property rights or regarding situations threatening tranquility in a village. Today most societies are governed by the constitutional authorities, formal laws and rational bureaucracy. Bodies like Khap Panchayat are parallel working for social development, women empowerment and governance. These Khap Panchayats are praised by the people of territory or community in which Khap Panchayats exist; the political functionaries or even ministers and chief ministers also praise the Khaps, this is the most important concern of Khap Panchayats. In this paper an attempt is done to find out the existence of Khap Panchayats in India. Why are they widening their base in Northwest India? What is their source of strength? This paper presents a detailed discussion on various issues Khap Panchauats and leaves scope for future debates.