The recent news article on the demands of Khaps points out the fact that the khap panchayats are not even sure of the fact what they want, first they want a ban on same gotra marriages now then on the practise of homosexuality and now surrogate motherhood. The first question is what authority do they posses to press for such legal sanctions and for what reasons. They are behaving like some kind of ethical and moral conditioners with no authority. On the top of it they are threatening the government with a strike on December 21. What do they think they are some kind of godly revelations who's primary duty is to protect the customs and traditions and shut all doors of liberty of the people and turn our heads to the opposite side so that we can only see the past and not the future. They think that sitting in some corner of India they can enforce what ever they want on the whole of India and without even taking into considerations what others want. Even if they demand for some kind of state amendments, their demands are on those issue are completely against modern day society. They want lok adalat status with judicial powers so that they can kill, slaughter people whenever and wherever they want. What problem do they have with surrogate motherhood? Are they going to say it is like playing god and questioning their authority, come one god's authority was questioned when man discovered ways to produce fire by striking rocks, that was questioning god's authority, done is some century B.C.
The punishment for an offence under section 292 of the IPC(Obscenity as an offence) is on first conviction with imprisonment (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to two years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and in the event of a second or subsequent convictions, with imprisonment (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to five years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
The punishment for an offence under section 67 of the IT Act is on first conviction with imprisonment (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to five years, and with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, and in the event of a second or subsequent convictions, with imprisonment (simple or rigorous) for a term which may extend to ten years, and also with fine which may extend to two lakh rupees. Even with these kind of punishment they want 'stern' measures to be taken. Now its very difficult to gauge what stern punishment is. If they are hoping for some kind of life imprisonment or death penalty, this hope is completely out of the question. Can't these khaps think of anything which is more civilised and does not amount to killing. Really what are they panchayats or terrorist organizations ????
Sourav Dan
BSc. LLB, 3rd Year
I agree on the point that no doubt, the rural society is a close knit society and deviation from the social norm is always considered to be immoral and looked down upon. But, the demands by the Khap Panchayats are comparable to the situations there in the Afghanistan under the Tabilan rule... A new law must immediately be enacted to prevent "honour killing" by the Khaps...
ReplyDelete