The largest Khap in Haryana ‘Malik Khap’ on Monday welcomed the historic decision of ‘Satrol Khap’, which has not only allowed marriages to be solemnised within 42 villages that fall within the Khap but also allowed an inter-caste marriage subject to parental consent.

Satrol Khap represents 36 communities over an area of 250 square kilometers in the State. The Khap took a historic decision at a Maha Panchayat convened in Narain town of Hisar district on April 20.

While talking to The Pioneer, Baljit Singh Malik, national president of Malik Khap said the Malik Khap had already taken same decision earlier during a meeting at Kurkushetra. Similar decision by Satrol Khap was necessary.

“Earlier in Haryana, people used to leave five gotras-gotra of itself, of mother, of grandmother (Paternal and Maternal) and of great-grandmother during marriage of their children. But with the passage of time, all these rituals had to be left behind, now most of the people are focusing only on two gotras-itself and of mother,” said Malik.

He added that the decision would help in solving the problem of marriages of male due to low sex ratio of girls as compared to boys across Haryana. Dahiya Khap has also implemented the same decision long time back.The Satrol Khap has allowed inter-caste marriages but the ban on marriages within the same gotra, village and two neighboring villages’ stays.

In another decision, the Khap Panchayat formally approved a resolution under which the 42 villages will not accord sanctity to any communities like Jats, Ahirs, etc. Instead, all in the villages will be considered equal without bringing in any perceived superior or lower image of a particular community.

While welcoming the decision of Satrol Khap, Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) chief Kuldeep Bishnoi said that Khaps are for the welfare of the society and this decision is also for the society, hence our party agrees with it.