3 yrs on, Satrol khap’s progressive move on matrimonial ties opposed

Deepender Deswal

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Tribune News Service

Hisar, September 7

Three years and 11 marriages after relaxing of norms for matrimonial alliances, the Satrol khap, which took the decision to allow intra-khap marriages by breaking away from 700-year-old social ban, is struggling to hold on to its progressive agenda.

A section of the Satrol khap panchayat has demanded a review of the decision claiming that the move has not gone down well with society. They also demanded resignation of khap president Inder Singh, a retired Army man, for his ‘mistakes’, including this decision.

The Satrol khap has social jurisdiction in around 42 villages divided in four tapas (sub-khap), comprising various gotras in Narnaund subdivision of the district. The four tapas are Narnaund, Petwad, Ugalan and Baans.

The khap had allowed marriages within 42 villages under its jurisdiction with only condition that such marriages must not be in the same gotra and the same village. Earlier, there was a blanket ban on matrimonial alliances within these villages as every boy and girl of these villages were considered as siblings.

Krishan Lohan, chief of Narnaund tapa, said they apprised the khap panchayat of the sentiments of the people, who expressed their displeasure over the relaxation of norms during a meeting yesterday. “The khap pradhan has misguided people as he went too far in giving relaxation even as there was no consensus on the issue. He had said restrictions of same gotra, same village, bordering villages would remain and only inter-tapa ties have been opened. But we found that intra-tapa marriages had been allowed. Villagers are not ready for this and we want a review of this decision,” he said, while demanding Inder Singh’s resignation. He claimed that heads of other tapas supported him.

Inder Singh, however, brushed aside the objection and stated that there would be no going back on the decision, which was in sync with practical requirements and modern approach. “Certain people have raised the issue in the meeting but I made it clear that there is no scope for any discussion on the issue,” he added.

Capt Mahavir Singh, general secretary of Satrol khap, who relinquished his post in the meeting yesterday, said, “The demand to review the decision was raised by people having regressive mindset. Already 11 marriages have taken place as per relaxed norms. They are making futile efforts,” he said.

• Old norms: No matrimonial ties allowed within any of 42 villages falling in the jurisdiction of Satrol khap, which is divided in four tapas
• Relaxed norms: Marriage allowed between boys and girls of these villages, barring two restrictions. First, no boy would marry girl of his village or the one adjoining his village. Second, marriage is not allowed with a person having the same gotra (surname)
• Why review is demanded: Allowing marriages within these villages is a wrong decision. Relaxation of tying the knot inter-tapa is fine but marriages within villages of a tapa is going a bit too far. The two restrictions are OK.