However, the Mahapanchayat, which debated the issue in details, did not pass any final decision on the matter.
Santosh Dahiya, president of women wing of Khap panchayat, who was among others to address the gathering, later told reporters that "the Mahapanchayat did not back the views of a Khap leader. It was felt that suggestion was individual in nature. However, the Mahapanchayat itself did not pass any final decision on the matter".
The Khap representatives also criticised the media "for targeting" them "for no fault" of theirs and explained the decisions taken in the Khap panchayats or caste councils were not individual decision, "but collective in the interest of the families and society."
The Mahapanchayat representatives saw relation between the rise in crime against women, especially rapes, to the "obscene content being broadcast by television and published in various magazine and media".
"The media should understand that the role of Khap Panchayats are to preserve the culture, traditions and promote brotherhood in society," a Khap member said.
A number of the Khap representatives criticised the state government for allegedly not doing enough to push reform suggested by Khap panchayat in Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
They suggested that if such reforms were incorporated in the Hindu Marriage Act, then number of rapes would definitely be checked.
While debating on rape cases, the representatives said that these cases were happening with the girls of every caste and to discuss on this issue, a separate meeting Sarv Jatiya Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat would be convened.
Nafe Singh Nain, president of Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat presided over the Mahapanchayat.
Dahiya said that the Mahapanchayat decided to form awareness cells, comprising of 3 to 4 people in each groups, to launch an awareness campaign in rural areas of the state to educate the people including young boys and girls in a bid to help curb incidents of crimes against women.
"The Mahapanchayat took note of rising incidents of crime against women including many rape incidents of rape in Haryana during the past two months and strongly condemned such incidents," said Sube Singh. MORE
