Khap Panchayats in India

Khap Panchayats are traditional community councils found mainly in northern India, particularly among certain caste groups like the Jats. They operate outside the formal legal system and make community-based decisions on social issues, often related to marriage, inheritance, and social behavior. While some khaps aim to uphold cultural norms, critics argue they can enforce conservative or discriminatory practices, such as bans on inter-caste or same-gotra marriages. Although mereka have no official legal authority, their influence persists culturally, and Indian courts occasionally intervene to prevent their decisions from violating individual rights or promoting social injustice.