Gurugram: In an important development in Haryana, many Khap Panchayats across the state have called immediate meetings in districts like Rohtak, Jind and Hisar in the last one week, where their leaders have demanded to secure legal sanctity for their decisions.
The meetings are motivated to integrate in legal structure under the Community Arbitration Act, 2023 under the Community Arbitration Act, 2023 on the Central, Punjab and Haryana governments, such as the Center, Punjab and Haryana’s governments, and the Chandigarh administration by the Haryana High Court’s Su Motu Public Interest Litigation (PLI), and the Chandigarh administration.
The High Court bench, which includes Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumit Goel, introduced PIL on July 1, 2025 to address the non-convention of the Arbitration Act, 2023, especially Chapters of Section 43 and 44, which provides for social intercourse to resolve mutual disputes between neighbors, families and community.
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During the proceedings, Chief Justice Nagu emphasized the ability of community mediation, stating, “Community arbitration has an important ability to resolve mutual disputes, such as between neighbors, families and communities.”
The court suggested that formal form of Khap under the Arbitration Act may turn him into effective mediators, provided that their practices align with constitutional criteria.
The bench said, “Khap Panchayats in rural Haryana have significant social impact within the community that they represent and exercise a form of social rule in their respective areas.”
The court directed the states, center area and the Center to register their response by 5 August 5, when the case is set next time for hearing.
Demand for legal sanctity
The initiative of the High Court has seen Jasti Khap Panchayats, the leaders have seen it as a historical opportunity to formalize their dispute resolution system.
In Rohtak, Phogat Khap held a large gathering on Wednesday, where the leaders unanimously demanded legal recognition for their decisions.
Kitab Singh, a senior leader of Phogat Khap, said to print, “It is a commendable step to give legal responsibility to the Khap Panchayats. Our decisions lie in community consent and aim to maintain harmony. Legal recognition will strengthen our ability to resolve peace and rapid resolving disputes.”
He highlighted the historical role of the Khapas in resolving disputes over land, marriage and social conflicts, often to prevent an increase in formal courts.
In Jind, Kandela Khap called a meeting on Thursday. Kandela Khap chief, Tech Ram Kandela told Thrint on Friday, “Khap panchayats have been the backbone of rural justice, keeping in mind the disputes with fairness and community welfare.
In Hisar, Satrol Khap echoed similar feelings, its chairman Satish Chander while talking to Diprin, “We welcome the initiative of the court. Our arbitration practices are community-interacted, and with legal support, we can find the difference between traditional and modern justice systems.”
He said that during his meeting, Khap has also called for clear guidelines to align KHAP decisions with constitutional principles, especially on issues such as gender equality and fundamental rights.
The Pilot of the High Court has debated the integration of traditional institutions in India’s legal structure.
This step enhances concerns about aligning the traditional authority with constitutional criteria.
PK Sandhir, a famous criminal lawyer from Haryana, said that Khap Panchayat is a very relaxed word in Haryana and hence it will be difficult to say which Panchayat is Khap and which is not.
“There are Khaps representing a particular caste. In addition, we have often seen in controversies representing a group of villages. We have often seen in controversies where the couples have married their wishes against the families, from where the girl has a relationship, from where the boy comes out with a version, where the boy takes a different decision,” he said.
He further said that giving legal purity to Khap Panchayats will also give funds to fulfill the powers of the legislature.
“When the legislature has passed the Arbitration Act, 2023, and has included a chapter on community arbitration, what they mean to the community should be taken into consideration. Let the government come in mind. Let the government come up with rules and say what the Legislature means what the community arbitration means. Even if they want to fully involve the Khaps.”
However, Dalal Khap president Ramesh Dalal said that Khap Panchayats had the original role for meditation ages and should be given legal purity.
“Khap Panchayats have been vested by Haryana as Talibni bodies in some controversial cases, especially without the killings of respect, without going into details.
Controversial heritage of Khap Panchayats
While KHAP leaders advocate legal recognition, their previous decisions have often criticized for struggling with constitutional values.
Khap Panchayats have been associated with controversial decisions, including demanding restrictions on live-in relationships, opposition to inter-caste and equal-gotra (Klan) marriage and implementing social boycott against individuals or families violating community norms.
In March this year, Banian Khap, found in Danoda village in Haryana, gave a call for social boycott of “live-in” couples in the presence of Minister Krishna Bedi.
In another example, Sangwan Khap, led by independent MLA Sombir Sangwan, ordered the “hookah-water band” of nine families in Charkhi village in Haryana in July 2023, which to “disobefy” the paddy in the village of the panchayat to “disobefy”.
(Edited by Winnie Mishra)
Also read: Khap asks for ‘social boycott, ban’ on live-in relationships in the presence of Haryana Minister