Cong leaders' support for khap panchayats unfortunate: BJP

BJP today termed as "unfortunate" the statement of Congress leader Navin Jindal supporting the demand of khap panchayats in Haryana that same 'gotra' marriages be legally banned but said there was a need to understand the view of such panchayats.

BJP today termed as "unfortunate" the statement of Congress leader Navin Jindal supporting the demand of khap panchayats in Haryana that same 'gotra' (sub caste) marriages be legally banned but said there was a need to understand the view of such panchayats.

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"The way some leaders are projecting the cause of the khap panchayats is unfortunate. If somebody is justifying it, that is not correct," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

Khap panchayats in Haryana and other northern states have demanded that same 'gotra' marriages should be made illegal.

Javadekar, however, maintained that there was a need to talk to khap panchayat leaders to understand their views.

Honour killing of those who go for same 'gotra' marriages have come to light in the northern states as the khap panchayats are opposed to them.

The BJP's views on the contentious issue comes on a day when Jindal attended a Khap Mahapanchayat in Khaithal. Support for the caste councils swelled with INLD supremo O P Chautala backing their demand for a ban on marriages within the same lineage.