Khap leaders advocate for changes in marriage age and live-in relationship laws in meeting with Renu Bhatia

JIND: A delegation of khap (social clan) leaders met with women commission’s chairperson Renu Bhatia to seek her support for decreasing the marriage age of girls from 18 to 16 years and other issues such as live in relationship issue
Jind based Majra Khap spokesperson Samundar Phour told the TOI that a detailed discussion took place with the chairperson Renu Bhatia, where the Khap leaders openly shared their views. He stated that they do not oppose the Love Marriage Act but believe it should be amended. Khaps suggested that when a Love Marriage occurs, the individuals should avoid their own village, same gotra, and nearby village. Additionally, both parents should give their consent. If this does not happen, the marriage should be considered invalid.
The increasing trend of love marriages is leading to families breaking apart, even within the same village or neighbourhood, causing enmity between families. Parents of the girl are being jailed based on the girl’s request. What is the duty of parents who raise and nurture their child, only for her to leave their home at 18, sending the parents to jail? Which law permits this? According to the Hindu Code Bill, if the girl breaks the custom, a case should be filed against her, not her parents. Under the Hindu Code Bill of 1955, marriages will be valid under customary law, but if the girl violates customs, she should be held accountable, said Phour.
Khap head Gurvinder Singh Sandhu said that the live-in relationships system should be abolished completely. A woman who has divorced her husband can live in a relationship, and there is no proper documentation for it. Moreover, after a breakup, the woman can demand maintenance from all her previous partners under Section 125. The children born during the live-in period, whose property will they inherit? Who will be the father? The law is silent on this. Many women are exploiting this law for their own benefit, demanding maintenance from multiple partners, he said.
Discussing about homosexuality, stated that the government has allowed unnatural sexual relations by removing Section 377 from the constitution, although no one has demanded the repeal of this law. The question is, where is the government trying to take society? Sandhu questioned.
Other khap leaders also raised concerns about the marriageable age for girls being increased from 18 to 21, terming it inappropriate. If a girl can become a public representative, why can't she choose her own husband? And how can parents protect a girl who goes astray at the age of 15 or 16 until she turns 21? Why is the marriage age being increased when there is no age limit for live-in relationships. A girl who is pursuing her education properly is married off by her parents at the age of 26-28. The Khap strongly objected to raising the marriage age, they raised questions.
Renu Bhatia stated that she will take up the matter with chief minister Nayab Singh Saini. Suggestions have been taken from khap leaders, she added.