Jind: The Khap panchayats in Haryana, because of the worse sex ratio in the country, are looking for ways to solve the problem of female foeticide. They have condemned the offence and ruled that it should be treated at par with murder.
It was a first of sorts in the history of Khap panchayats in north India. Seldom seen together, women and men came together in Jind, Haryana to take the unanimous decision and declare openly that female foeticide was as gruesome as murder.
"Female foeticide is a crime which also gives rise to another evil of honour killing. By ensuring the end of female foeticide, we could also curb incidents of honour killing," said Om Prakash Maan of Khap panchayat.
Perhaps 10 years ago, women sitting in a Khap panchayat would have been an unthinkable sight. Also unthinkable would have been the sight of women speaking forcing all to not just listen but also understand. Certainly, the times are a changing.
"The agenda of today's meet is to stop female foeticide," said a member of the crowd.
Another said, "The decision taken by the panchayat of Aasra village reflects the thinking of our society. It is exactly this mindset that we need to change."
The Khaps are powerful bodies in north India, and the political ramifications of their decision are significant too.
The decision may have been taken but will it be enforced and practiced in the days ahead? Or was this simply an attempt to dispel the controversial myths surrounding Khap panchayats? Nonetheless, it has certainly been a start.
COURTESY: IBN Live
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