After making news for dishing out Talibanesque justice of honour killing, the Khap Panchayats are mulling lowering of the marriageable age norms.
According to a Times of India report, Jat Mahasabha wants marriageable age of girls to be lowered to 15 while that of boys to 17 to stop boys and girls from eloping and marrying against families' wishes.
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Om Prakash Mann, Haryana president of All India Jat Mahasabha told the newspaper that the demand will be discussed at the Jul 17 sarv khap panchayat, which will be attended by representatives of around 600 khaps of several castes and communities, including Jats, Rajputs, Sainis, Gujjars and Dhanaks.
"By lowering the legal age of marriage, young couples can be prevented from eloping. A girl brings shame to her family when she runs away. Parents kill the guilty children in a fit of rage," Mann, who said that Khap panchayats had no role in honour killings, is quoted as saying.
He only seemed concerned about stopping young people from being murdered by their families and not with other repercussions such as the effect this move would have on the girls' education, the newspaper reported on its website on Saturday,
Jul 3 http://news.oneindia.in/2010/07/03/lower-marriagebale-age-to-stop-honour-killing.html
