Understanding the importance of Khap Panchayat: survey at Haryana, India

Ashna Arora , wanted to collect data about the spread and functioning of Khap Panchayats in Haryana – a state where khaps are functioning actively. Khap Panchayat is the union of 84 villages, they are traditional and caste-based socio-political groups found mainly in north India. They are infamous for their extra-judicial decision-making, as well as for imposing harsh social and monetary punishments to village residents. The MORSEL team surveyed Anganwadi workers, older (influential people) of the selected villages, Gram Panchayat head (and other members), as well as ex-Gram Panchayat members in Haryana state.