Khap panchayats eye makeover, plan to get women on board over diktats

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Faced with criticism over their moral policing, khap panchayats, in an apparent makeover bid, are planning to get women on board before passing any diktat.

A council representing around 360 khap panchayats from all over India is mulling a proposal to win the confidence of women before issuing any diktat on their matters, its secretary Subhash Baliyan said.

The move comes following a ' community panchayat' of girls in Baghpat district, which vowed not to use mobile phones till Class XII or wear jeans.

Baliyan said he would present the proposal during a proposed meeting of the council in Asara village of Baghpat district on July 20.

Meanwhile, in yet another panchayat similar to the one in Baghpat, a group of girls in Mokhampur village of the district decided not to wear jeans and use mobile phones to stay away from their "ill effects".

The group also endorsed the Baghpat panchayat's decision, asking villagers to socially boycott girls found wearing jeans and using mobile phones in the area.

BKU woman leader Sohanviri, who had organised a meeting in Baghpat, has also announced burning of jeans at Dudhaheri village in July 22.