Reacting to Haryana Chief Minister B.S Hooda's comment that Khap Panchayats were like NGOs and a part of the Indian culture, social activist Annie Raja on Friday said that because of the consistent support of political parties especially the Congress, anti-women forces were ruining in the country.
"A chief minister saying such a thing is not good for the country. Because of the consistent support of the political parties especially the Congress, such anti-women forces are ruining the country," said Raja.
"The Khap is an anti- constitutional body and a notorious gang is running it. This is a misuse of power," she said.
"Because of such anti-women mentality, and anti women bodies, women are not able to enjoy their freedom. I stand against such bodies," she added.
All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) member Jagmati Sangwan said that Hooda was saying such things because the elections were around the corner.
"Hooda is saying such things to get votes in the elections because even he knows that the Khap is a self-styled body, and they take decisions in an autocratic way," said Sangwan.
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"They suppress the deprived sections of the society and do not believe in democratic rights and laws, and they are not elected bodies," he added.
Earlier in the day, Hooda had described Khap Panchayats as "NGOs" and a part of Indian culture, contradicting his party's views on the same.
"Khap Panchayat is an NGO. It's like if you go to Gurgaon there is a welfare association. Similarly Khap is also an NGO. They are a part of our culture," Hooda told the media.