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{{short description|System of social administration}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
[[File:Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait.jpg|thumb|350x350px|Former Baliyan Khap Chaudhary-[[Mahendra Singh Tikait]] (in Centre)]]

A '''Khap''' is a traditional community organization representing a [[clan]] or group of [[villages]]. They are mainly associated with Indian communities such as the [[Jat]]s,<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/what-are-khap-panchayats/story-aAx17V9V2eDeD4hMA4wb4N.html Hindustan Times]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Khap Panchayats in India – GKToday |url=https://www.gktoday.in/khap-panchayats-in-india/ |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=www.gktoday.in}}</ref> Modern khaps are mainly found in the states of [[Haryana]] and [[Western Uttar Pradesh]], and are especially common in these Jat-dominated villages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khap Panchayat |url=https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/constitutional-law/khap-panchayat-law-essays.php |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.lawteacher.net |language=en}}</ref> Khaps also exist in [[Rajasthan]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]].

A '''Khap Panchayat''' is an assembly of Khap elders, while a '''Sarv Khap''' is an assembly of many Khap Panchayats.<ref name="Manveer2014">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Haryanas-biggest-khap-panchayat-scripts-history-allows-inter-caste-marriages/articleshow/34016585.cms |title=Haryana's biggest khap panchayat scripts history, allows inter-caste marriages |first=Manveer |last=Saini |date=21 April 2014 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.epw.in/system/files/pdf/1965_17/51/the_jats_of_northern_indiatheir_traditional_political_systemii.pdf |title=The Jats of Northern India Their Traditional Political System – II |first=M. C. |last=Pradhan |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |date=18 December 1965}}</ref> These bodies are not part of the [[Government of India|formal government system]] and hold no official authority. However, they often exert significant social influence and handle affairs within the community they represent.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Kaur |first=Ravinder |url=https://www.academia.edu/671328 |title=Khap panchayats, sex ratio and female agency | Ravinder Kaur |publisher=Academia.edu |date=5 June 2010 |access-date=31 March 2013}}</ref>

Notable khaps include the Baliyan Khap, led by the famous farmer's rights activist [[Mahendra Singh Tikait]] until 2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/muzaffarnagar-riots-a-jat-family-protected-70-muslims-in-fugna-village-211011-2013-09-13 |title=Muzaffarnagar riots: A Jat family protected 70 Muslims in Fugna village |work=India Today |date=14 September 2013}}</ref> the [[Dahiya Khap]] in [[Haryana]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Haryanas-Dahiya-khapa-body-representing-people-of-different-community-in-Sonipat-district-is-organising-a-meeting-to-mark-centenary-celebrations-in-Sisana-village-on-Monday-/articleshow/7645578.cms |title=Haryana's Dahiya khap, a body representing people of Jat community in Sonipat district, is organising a meeting to mark centenary celebrations in Sisana village on Monday | newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=5 June 2021|first=Deepender|last=Deswal|date=7 March 2011}}</ref> and the Gathwala Khap who were [[zamindar]]s since Mughal era and took title of [[Malik (clan)|Malik]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OEmAAAAAMAAJ&q=Later+on+they+were+called+as+Jakhar+Jats |title=Indian Journal of Physical Anthropology and Human Genetics |date=2005 |publisher=Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society, U.P. |page=110 |language=en |quote=Jats in this area form an endogamous caste group. They are the largest group in northwest India, having various clans and more than 500 gotras. The main gotras are Maliks (also called Gatwallas)...}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge Economic History of India |volume=2 |editor1-first=Tapan |editor1-last=Raychaudhuri |editor2-first=Irfan |editor2-last=Habib |editor3-first=Dharma |editor3-last=Kumar |edition=Reprinted |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-52122-802-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ew8AAAAIAAJ |pages=37, 70}}</ref>
[[File:A Jat Khap Panchayat meeting in Haryana.jpg|thumb|A Jat Khap Panchayat meeting in a village.]]

== History ==

The Khaps evolved as tribal and village administrations. One of the terms used to denote the [[republic]] was the ''Khap''. Others were ''Pal'', ''[[Janapada]]'', and [[Gaṇasaṅgha|{{transliteration|sa|Gaṇasaṅgha}}]].

Khaps have been dated back to the 14th or 15th century, as part of the social structure of the Hindu people, who lived in the region that is now north eastern Rajasthan, eastern Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=":3">Thakur, Ratika; Sinha, A. K.; Pathak, R.K. (2015). "[https://www.mukpublications.com/resources/vol15-1-2.pdf Khap Panchayats in Transition with Contemporary Times: An Anthropological Evaluation.]" ''Panjab University''.</ref>

There are historical documentational evidences that reveal the organization of [[Meerut division]]'s khaps into the sarvkhap panchayat as far back as the 13th century. Haryana Sarwakhap Panchayat was established in 664 A.D.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://jatnayak.com/haryana-sarvakhap-panchayat |title=हरियाणा सर्वखाप पंचायत |date=16 March 2019 |website=Jat Nayak |language=hi|access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref> There is also a native belief that claims that [[Harsha|King Harshavardhan]] systematized the sarv–khap panchayat in the 7th century at Prayag (modern [[Prayagraj]]) during his quinquennial assemblage.<ref>{{cite journal |first=M. C. |last=Pradhan |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |date=11 December 1965 |title=The Jats of Northern India: Their Traditional Political System |url=https://www.epw.in/system/files/pdf/1965_17/50/the_jats_of_northern_indiatheir_traditional_political_system.pdf |access-date=1 August 2020 |quote=The sarv–khap Panchayat, according to local belief, was organized in 7th century by emperor Harsha in his lust [sic] quinquennial assembly at Prayag (modern Allahabad.). But from the written historical records it is evident that the various khaps of Meerut Division were organized into the sarvkhap Panchayat as early as 13th century. |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719044105/https://www.epw.in/system/files/pdf/1965_17/50/the_jats_of_northern_indiatheir_traditional_political_system.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

These Khaps enabled clans to organize and expand their influence. The Baliyan Khap established its headquarters in Sisuali village in the 12th century, from where the clan launched campaigns of "territorial expansion, conquest and colonization" until the first decades of the 16th century. By the late 16th century, various clan members ruled the 84 villages of [[Pargana]] Sisuali.{{sfn|Richards|1993|p=88-89}} During the reign of Mughal emperor [[Akbar]], certain Khaps (including the Baliyan Khap) would be granted internal autonomy in exchange for their support of the new revenue system.

<blockquote>"...Akbar made several concessions to the local clans of the upper Doab region... The [Khap] councils were to carry on as before without interference. Imposts that the Jats had resisted for centuries were to be waived. In return, however, the clan councils accepted the new revenue system... They asked for local agency in collection, but did not quarrel with its implementation. In this region at least, imperiwal policy relied both upon force and conciliation."{{sfn|Richards|1993|p=90}}</blockquote>

During British colonial rule, influential Khap members were chosen as officials for their local areas.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Kumar |first=Ajay |date=28 January 2012 |title=Khap Panchayats: A Socio-Historical Overview |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=47 |issue=4 |pages=59–64 |jstor=41419766 }}</ref>

== Structure ==
The Khap consisted of a unit of 84 villages. The individual villages were governed by an elected council, known as the ''panchayat''. A unit of seven villages was called a ''Thamba'' and 12 Thambas formed the Khap unit of 84 villages, though Khaps of 12 and 24 villages existed. Their elected leaders would determine which units would be represented at the Khap level.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}} The ''Sarv Khap'' (or All Khap) Panchayat (Council) represented all the Khaps. The individual Khaps would elect leaders who would send delegates to represent their Khaps at the Sarv Khap. It was a political organisation, composed of all the clans, communities, and castes in the region.{{citation needed|date=September 2016}}

[[File:A Khap Panchayat's Meeting in West UP.jpg|thumb|A Khap Panchayat holding a meeting in West UP]]

Members of khap panchayats are all male, though they often make decisions affecting women. In Haryana, women are not allowed to be present at a panchayat and are represented by their male relatives.<ref name=":5">{{cite journal | url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/006996670403800102 | doi=10.1177/006996670403800102 | title=Caste panchayats and the policing of marriage in Haryana: Enforcing kinship and territorial exogamy | year=2004 | last1=Chowdhry | first1=Prem | journal=Contributions to Indian Sociology | volume=38 | issue=1–2 | pages=1–42 | s2cid=144104737 | url-access=subscription }}</ref> Members of Sarva Jaateeya Venain Khap, one of the largest khap panchayats in Haryana, have instead said there are no female khap members because they feel uncomfortable attending, not because they are not allowed.<ref>"[https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/in-rural-haryana-women-blamed-for-rape-where-men-make-the-rules/ In rural Haryana women blamed for rape where men make the rules.]" ''The New York Times''. 12 October 2012.</ref>

== Decisions on social issues ==

The Khap Panchayats frequently make pronouncements on social issues, such as abortion, alcohol abuse, dowry, and to promote education,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Khap-Panchayats-Root-for-Educated-Leaders/2015/08/16/article2976237.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821012715/http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Khap-Panchayats-Root-for-Educated-Leaders/2015/08/16/article2976237.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 August 2015 |title=Khap Panchayats Root for Educated Leaders |first=Harpreet |last=Bajwa |newspaper=New Indian Express |date=16 August 2015}}</ref> specially among girls.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Haryana-khaps-launch-campaign-for-girls-education/articleshow/36459145.cms |title=Haryana khaps launch campaign for girls' education |first=Sukhbir |last=Siwach |date=13 June 2014}}</ref> In October 2012, one Khap Panchayat leader in Haryana suggested that the age of marriage should be dropped from 18 to 16.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Telegraph |location=Calcutta |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121008/jsp/nation/story_16065635.jsp#.V9djldFVK1E |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918161328/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121008/jsp/nation/story_16065635.jsp#.V9djldFVK1E |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 September 2016 |title=Khap duo: Marry at 16 to check rape |date=8 October 2012 |access-date=13 September 2016}}</ref>

Khaps have attracted attention in recent times for their decisions on marriage.<ref name=":4" /> Khaps have opposed marriages between members of different castes, of certain gotras from which intermarriage is prohibited, and of the same village.<ref name=":2" /> In July 2000, a panchayat nullified the marriage of Ashish and Darshana, two years after they had married and produced a son, on the basis that they were from two [[gotra]]s (clans) prohibited to marry, and should have a brother-sister relationship.<ref name=":5" /> Punishments handed down by khap panchayats in marriage cases include fines, social ostracism, public humiliation, and expulsion from the village.<ref name=":2" /><ref>Yadav, Bhupendra (26 December 2009). "[https://www.jstor.org/stable/25663933 Khap Panchayats: Stealing freedom?]" ''Economic and Political Weekly''.</ref>

Khap Panchayats are a "useful instrument" of society and carry out social reforms and "one or two mistakes don't make them wrong as a whole," said Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in an interview.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khap Panchayats 'A Useful Instrument Of Society': Haryana Chief Minister |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/khap-panchayats-a-useful-instrument-of-society-haryana-chief-minister-1271987 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref>

Naresh Tikait, head of Baliyan Khap, criticized [[love marriage]]s, saying "Marriage is a union of two consenting families and not just two individuals. So all stakeholders should have a say in that. If parents take all the pains to educate their girls then they also have right over their marriages too."<ref>5. Rai, Sandeep (23 November 2019). "[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/love-marriages-not-acceptable-we-wont-allow-them-khap-leader/articleshow/72190461.cms Love marriages not acceptable, we won't allow them: Balyan khap leader]". ''Times of India.''</ref>
[[File:Chaudhary Surendra Solanki with Delhi CM.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Palam 360 Khap [[Chaudhary]] with Delhi CM]]
The Satrol Khap in Haryana, which allowed inter-caste marriage in 2014,<ref name="Manveer2014"/> soon reverted its decision as no couple in that Khap is going against previous laws and hence further boycotting inter-caste marriages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3 yrs on, Satrol khap's progressive move on matrimonial ties opposed |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/haryana/3-yrs-on-satrol-khap-s-progressive-move-on-matrimonial-ties-opposed-463675/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sunaina |date=2016-12-23 |title=Despite reformist Haryana khap allowing inter-caste marriages, no couples have broken the taboo |url=http://scroll.in/article/824010/at-reformist-haryana-khap-no-one-is-willing-to-break-the-inter-caste-marriage-taboo-yet |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref> The Khap also State that the marriage should not be within the same [[gotra]], village, or neighbouring villages.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://img.zeenews.com/hindi/news/india/700-yr-old-khap-ban-on-inter-caste-marriages-off/207500 |title=खाप पंचायत का ऐतिहासिक फैसला, अंतर्जातीय शादी को दी हरी झंडी |publisher=Zee News |date=21 April 2014 |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062053/http://img.zeenews.com/hindi/news/india/700-yr-old-khap-ban-on-inter-caste-marriages-off/207500 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A 2015 Sarv Khap meeting launched a "Save Daughters, Educate Daughter" movement.<ref>[http://dainiktribuneonline.com/2015/05/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%93-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A2%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%93-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D/ बेटी बचाओ, बेटी पढ़ाओ मुद्दे पर सर्वखाप महापंचायत, May – 17 – 2015 ]</ref>

Several Haryana Khap panchayats organized public meeting to make a call for a strong law against gun violence and vulgar music.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-27 |title=Hry khap panchayats call for stronger laws against gun culture, 'vulgar' music |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/hry-khap-panchayats-call-for-stronger-laws-against-gun-culture-vulgar-music/articleshow/119608422.cms |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Khap Panchayats, played a significant role in strengthening the farmers' protests, particularly during the 2020-2021 agitation against the controversial farm laws. They provided support, organized rallies, and even formed committees to coordinate with other farmer organizations and instruct that at least one individual from each house should join the protests. Khaps acted as representative bodies for [[Jats|Jat]] community, advocating for the farmers' demands, particularly the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-12-03 |title=South Haryana khaps set to join farmers' stir |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/south-haryana-khaps-set-to-join-farmers-stir/articleshow/79538050.cms |access-date=2025-06-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-01-30 |title=One person from each house to reach Delhi: Haryana khap leaders |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/one-person-from-each-house-to-reach-delhi-haryana-khap-leaders-101611956451909.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608165359/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/one-person-from-each-house-to-reach-delhi-haryana-khap-leaders-101611956451909.html |archive-date=8 June 2023 |access-date=2025-06-07 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2025, A Khap Panchayat was conducted in [[Rohtak]] to address different social issues and to conduct several drives in nearby cities and villages to prohibit same [[Gotra|Gotra Marriage]] and to avoid consumption of [[Alcoholic beverage|Alcohol]] and [[Drug]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-30 |title=रोहतक में खापों की पंचायत में ऐलान: एक गांव-गोत्र में नहीं होंगे विवाह, प्रधान बोले- लिव-इन- रिलेशनशिप और नशाखोरी को करेंगे जड़ से खत्म - Rohtak News |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/haryana/rohtak/news/rohtak-khap-panchayat-live-in-relationship-drug-addiction-hardeep-ahlawat-haryana-135134885.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601184424/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/haryana/rohtak/news/rohtak-khap-panchayat-live-in-relationship-drug-addiction-hardeep-ahlawat-haryana-135134885.html |archive-date=1 June 2025 |access-date=2025-06-07 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi |url-status=live }}</ref>

The decisions of the patriarchal Khap Panchayats have often been associated with the practice of honour killing.<ref>{{cite book |title=Marital Separation and Lethal Domestic Violence |first1=Desmond |last1=Ellis |first2=Noreen |last2=Stuckless |first3=Carrie |last3=Smith |publisher=Routledge |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-31752-213-3 |page=77 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=swrwBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA77}}</ref> In 2007, a khap panchayat ordered the killing of Manoj and Babli, who married within the same gotra, in spite of their brother-sister relationship. The two were killed by members of Babli's family.

Death Sentence in Honour killing: In ''State Of Haryana v. Ganga Raj''<ref>State Of Haryana v. Ganga Raj, Times Of India, 26 March 2010, p. 8</ref>- Delivered on 23 March 2010 in the Manoj Babli Honor Killing case, the sessions Judge Vani Gopal Sharma of [[Karnal district]] in Haryana has awarded [[Capital punishment in India|capital punishment]] under Section 302 IPC ([[Indian Penal Code]]) 1860 to five family members of Babli including her brother Suresh, Uncles Rejender, Baru Ram and cousins Satish and Gurdev for killing the couple on 15 June 2007, considering it the "rarest of rare" case and life sentence to the meeting leader Ganga Raj under Section 302 IPC read with section 120B, IPC for hatching the conspiracy to kill the couple.<ref>[[Manoj–Babli honour killing case]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=October 2020}}<ref>Singh, Gajinder (31 March 2010). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20110208071052/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100331/jsp/nation/story_12285441.jsp Death for honour killings]". Calcutta, India: The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2010.</ref>

== Criticism ==
In recent times, the Khap system has attracted criticism from groups, citing the stark prejudice that such groups allegedly hold against others. The [[All India Democratic Women's Association]] (AIDWA) has reported cases where the Khaps are alleged to have initiated threats of murder and violence to couples who marry outside of the circle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2125/stories/20041217002304200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016084854/http://hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2125/stories/20041217002304200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 October 2007 |title=Caste terror |author=T.K. Rajalakshmi |work=frontline |volume=21 |issue=25 |date=17 December 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Sunday_Specials/Panchayats_turn_into_kangaroo_courts/rssarticleshow/2351247.cms |title=Panchayats turn into kangaroo courts |date=9 September 2007 |author=Rohit Mullick & Neelam Raaj |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

The [[Supreme Court of India]] has declared Khap Panchayats to be illegal because they often decree or encourage honour killings or other institutionalised atrocities against boys and girls of different castes and religions who wish to get married or have married.<ref name="Venkatesan">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1710337.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |first=J. |last=Venkatesan |title=Stamp out khap panchayats: court |date=20 April 2011}}</ref>

{{blockquote|This is wholly illegal and has to be ruthlessly stamped out. There is nothing honourable in honour killing or other atrocities and, in fact, it is nothing but barbaric and shameful murder. Other atrocities in respect of the personal lives of people committed by brutal, feudal-minded persons deserve harsh punishment. Only this way can we stamp out such acts of barbarism and feudal mentality. Moreover, these acts take the law into their own hands, and amount to kangaroo courts, which are wholly illegal.<ref name="Venkatesan" />}}

In a 2012 report to the Supreme Court, Raju Ramachandran, a Senior Advocate appointed by the Court to assist it in [[public interest litigation]] actions against Khap Panchayats, called for the arrest of "self-styled" decision makers and for proactive action by the police to protect the fundamental rights of the people. He also asked for the recommendations to be converted into directions applicable to all [[states and union territories of India]] until a law is enacted by the [[Parliament of India|federal parliament]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Rein-in-khaps-prevent-honour-killings-SC-panel/Article1-890134.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717120027/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Rein-in-khaps-prevent-honour-killings-SC-panel/Article1-890134.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 July 2012 |title=Rein in khaps, prevent honour killings: SC panel |date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

== Power and influence ==
Despite the criticisms against this institution, it remains popular in some parts of India because, in its benign form, it resolves disputes and achieves social order with less time and resources, compared to the court system which is lengthier and expensive.<ref name=":4" /> In addition, taking a case to court may result in community ire.<ref name=":5" />

Sometimes, the Indian government avoids a direct confrontation with the panchayat especially in rural areas.<ref name=":1" /> In some cases in Haryana, the police and locally elected leaders have supported the decisions of the khap panchayat.<ref name=":5" />

Former Delhi [[Chief Minister]] [[Arvind Kejriwal]] in an interview told that, there is no need to ban or intervene in Khap System because they are having their own cultural purpose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No need to ban khap panchayats: CM Kejriwal |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-no-need-to-ban-khap-panchayats-cm-kejriwal/20140131.htm |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref>

[[Om Prakash Chautala]], the former [[Chief Minister of Haryana]], said in 2004 that "whatever the panchayat decides is right."<ref name=":5" />

[[Om Prakash Dhankar]], member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), said that khap panchayats "are a deciding factor in the electoral success of a candidate."<ref>"[https://www.livemint.com/Politics/nW03eT80k8lmHDfAUGh33J/Panchayats-under-the-shadow-of-the-khaps.html Panchayats under the shadow of the khaps]." ''Livemint''. 1 May 2013.</ref>
[[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister Narendra Modi]] paid tributes to former Palam 360 Khap chief Chaudhary Ramkaran Solanki on his fourth death anniversary and lauded the "[[Cancer]] Free Delhi Rural" campaign that was launched in his memory."I pay my tribute to respected Chaudhary Ramkaran Solanki ji on his fourth death anniversary. On this occasion, I was happy to know about the Cancer Free Delhi Rural programme organised by Chaudhary Surendra Solanki ji in his memory in [[Dwarka, Delhi|Dwarka]], Delhi. The work done by Chaudhary Ramkaran Solanki ji for the society and this effort to carry forward his ideals and values is commendable," a letter written by Modi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2025-05-12 |title=PM Modi lauds campaign on cancer in rural Delhi in memory of former khap chief |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2025/May/12/pm-modi-lauds-campaign-on-cancer-in-rural-delhi-in-memory-of-former-khap-chief |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Unofficial caste ==
There are sources that describe the Khap as an unofficial caste system where the panchayat dominates all other members of the group.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=India Diversity |last1=David |first1=Hilda |last2=Jarman |first2=Francis |publisher=Om Books International |year=2017 |isbn=9789386316974 |pages=1959}}</ref> Like the function of traditional caste and family systems, this Indian traditional institution engages in dispute resolution and the regulation of members' behaviour.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |title=Challenging The Rules(s) of Law: Colonialism, Criminology and Human Rights in India |last1=Kannabiran |first1=Kalpana |last2=Singh |first2=Ranbir |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2008 |isbn=9780761936657 |location=Los Angeles, CA |pages=331}}</ref> The group uses violence to maintain a rigid structure that controls members particularly, women and youths. The panchayats aggressively push tradition and outlook in which caste divisions are desirable while violence towards different castes is normal and acceptable.<ref name=":0" /> An important Khap ethos involves the commitment – for the good of the community – to work with one's body, heart and soul under the leadership of its leaders, who are believed to have high moral superiority.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Readings in Indian Sociology: Volume IX: Culture and Society |last=Visvanathan |first=Susan |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2013 |isbn=9788132113904 |location=Los Angeles, CA |pages=170}}</ref> For this reason, these leaders are afforded the right to demand a member's life.

== See also ==
*[[Jirga]], similar assembly in Pakistan and Afghanistan
*[[Mahendra Singh Tikait]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book |last1=Richards |first1=John F. |title=The Mughal Empire - Part 1 Volume 5 |date=1993 |isbn=9780521566032 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Mughal_Empire/HHyVh29gy4QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=khap%20autonomy%20akbar}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |chapter=Khap Panchayats in Haryana: Sites of Legal Pluralism |first=K. S. |last=Sangwan |title=Challenging The Rules(s) of Law: Colonialism, Criminology and Human Rights in India |editor1-first=Kalpana |editor1-last=Kannabiran |editor2-first=Ranbir |editor2-last=Singh |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-76193-665-7 |pages=331–354 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EaMGo6zqzNYC&pg=PA331}}

[[Category:Community organizing]]
[[Category:Dispute resolution]]
[[Category:Culture of Haryana]]
[[Category:Honour killing in India]]
[[Category:Identity politics in India]]
[[Category:Local government in India]]
[[Category:Patriarchy]]
[[Category:Social history of India]]

Khap - Revision history

ToniaMirams219 at 06:34, 2 April 2026