Kadian khaps allow wedding in 8 gotras
Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, February 16
Eight prominent khaps (sub-caste councils) of this region have decided to endorse matrimonial relations by removing a century-old social impediment that prohibited such alliances among the eight gotras.
The khaps party to the decision include Kadian, Sangwan, Sheoran, Ahlawat, Gehlawat, Jakhar, Dagar and Tomar. They will now be able to marry off their sons and daughters in 12 villages that are dominated by the Kadian Barah Khap.
A decision was taken at a panchayat held at Dharana village yesterday after discussing the issue for over three hours. The panchayat presided over by the Kadian Khap chief, Kedar Singh, was attended by representatives of all eight khaps.
Notably, the eight khaps had been maintaining ‘bhaichara’ (brotherhood) among them following a century-old social custom and people of these khaps chose not to marry their wards in such gotras and the 12 villages.
Though the khap leaders stated the social barrier had been removed following the violation of custom followed by two of the khaps, sources said the skewed gender ratio in Jhajjar district was a major issue which made the khaps to do away with the tradition.
“The khaps took note of the prevailing situation. People of eight gotras are now free to marry off their children among these gotras,” said Singh. He said people of Kadian gotra would not marry off their children in these 12 villages.
