Jat Khap Panchayat

The Jat Khap Panchayat is a traditional community council predominantly associated with the Jat community in northern India, especially in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. These councils, led by local elders, make decisions on various social, cultural, and legal issues affecting their community. They play a significant role in maintaining social order and upholding cultural practices, sometimes intervening in matters related to marriage, behavior, and land disputes. While they can provide a sense of community, they have also been criticized for enforcing outdated customs and occasionally being involved in controversial decisions.