Jind (Haryana) [India], August 23 : In a significant development, the Naugama Khap in Jind district in Haryana convened its first-ever women-led mahapanchayat in Ramrai village where participants adopted resolutions opposing love marriages, live-in relationships and the dowry system across the 21 villages under the Khap's jurisdiction.
The Mahapanchayat was conducted entirely by women, while its male members remained seated behind and observed the proceedings. The gathering addressed several social issues, including marriage practices, dowry, gun culture and offensive content.
According to the resolutions passed at the meeting, love marriages, live-in relationships and dowry will not be accepted in the 21 villages governed by the Naugama Khap. The participants also adopted a firm position against gun culture and what they described as offensive or objectionable content.
To spread awareness and encourage compliance with the decisions, a 21-member committee has been constituted. Members of the committee will visit villages across the Khap's jurisdiction, engage with families and residents, explain the resolutions and seek wider public support for the initiative.
Speaking to ANI, Santosh Dahiya, National President of the Women Wing of Sarv Jatiya Khap, said the Mahapanchayat was organised by women to directly address social issues affecting communities.
"This Mahapanchayat was organised by women to directly address the key issues affecting our society, including live-in relationships, love marriages, dowry, and gun culture," Dahiya said.
The gathering is being seen as a notable development within the traditional Khap structure, with women taking the lead in deliberations and decision-making. Organisers said the initiative seeks to address long-standing social concerns through community-level awareness and mobilisation.
The resolutions, however, reflect the Khap's own community decisions and do not override laws or constitutional rights applicable across India.