Govt divided on khaps
Nagendar Sharma & Saroj Nagi, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 09, 2010
Sharp differences among ministers on Thursday forced the union cabinet
to defer a decision on how to rein in the caste panchayats (khaps) and
check the growing incidents of honour killings in the country. A group
of ministers (GoM) will be formed to look into the issue and the
government will also seek the views of all the states. The suggestion
to consult states came from PM Manmohan Singh, prompting other
ministers to speak up.
Though the cabinet was unanimous that the menace of "honour killings"
has to be dealt with, at least five ministers present in the meeting
did not agree with Home Minister P. Chidambaram's proposal to amend
existing laws and wanted more stringent measures.
Wondering what prevented one from acting within existing laws, Human
Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal reportedly suggested
incorporation of fresh provisions in the law to curb this menace.
Sources said Sibal was of the view that the government should consider
a new-stand alone law (like that on sati) to deal with such killings,
as the existing laws faced enforcement problems. Road and Transport
Minister Kamal Nath and Telecom Minister A. Raja supported him.
Sports Minister M.S. Gill is learnt to have pointed out that since
khaps do not have legal status, the government should not dilute the
issue of honour killings by trying to make all members in such
assemblies culpable for murder.
Kamal Nath and Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh also favoured inclusion
of views from all the state governments. Chidambaram is understood to
have stressed that strong measures were required.
The government, however, downplayed the differences. "There were no
differences, we want wider consultation. There is not only social and
media pressure, but within our own Cabinet and party, we feel 'honour
killings' have to be brought under the ambit of the law," said I&B
Minister, Ambika Soni.
She said the government hopes to move the amendments during the
Monsoon session of Parliament, beginning July 26. Chidambaram said
consultations with states would be completed before conclusion of
Parliament session.
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