What is the constitutional validity for the khap panchayat?

Answer 1

Khap panchayats, traditional village councils in India, often operate outside the formal judicial system and can engage in practices that may violate constitutional rights, such as gender equality and due process. While they are not legally recognized bodies, their decisions can sometimes conflict with constitutional provisions enshrined in the Indian Constitution, including Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty). The Supreme Court of India has criticized the actions of khap panchayats in several rulings, emphasizing that these bodies cannot override individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Therefore, while khap panchayats exist within the socio-cultural fabric of certain regions, their practices can be constitutionally challenged.