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Women's Rights Activist & Director, Centre for Social Research

Oct 09, 2012 | Closed

Can early marriage help prevent rape like a Haryana Khap panchayat member would like us to believe?

A Haryana Khap panchayat member recently said that lowering the age of marriage for girls to 16 can help prevent instances of rape. Haryana has been in news for the wrong reasons as at least 13 cases of rape have been reported from the state in the last one month. Talk to Ranjana Kumari, one of the most prominent activists of the country, to ascertain whether there can be any basis to the Khap panchayat member's words. Or are these words reflective of a retrograde, quasi-feudal-patriarchal mindset that contributes to crimes against women?

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A big reason being justified for high rape cases is low-sex ratio.Is it one of the major reasons? And shouldn's kap panchayat members be taken into consideration for making such comments that in a way support rape? Asked by: Harsh Sarawagi
Sexual assault is a crime which has power relations in it's core. Less women in the population will certainly lead to more such crime. I certainly think the Khap Panchayat's position further victimizes girls and indirectly attempts to justify rape and other inappropriate actions committed by men and boys against women.
Bad parenting should be blamed fof the rapes. You agree with me maam? Asked by: Zareef Ahmed
Parents need to sensitise boys to respect women and to control their behaviors. Parents that train their son's to see women as inferior and who promote a culture in which women are subordinates, discriminated against, and physically harmed should take some responsibility for the behavior of these men.
But do you think that the media has done enough on educating the young or rather hungry male masses on the subject of rape besides only reporting such cases ? The film and entertainment medium also needs to pitch in their responsibility ? Asked by: Manish
While we do have media acting as a instrument of awareness and social change some media sensationalise these issues. However, There is a long way to go for our Indian media to take responsibility and become an agent for social change. Entertainment media still had a very gender-biased approach to the portrayal of women be it films, advertisements, and even print media. there is need for projecting the profile of "new women" who is confident and no nonsense, economically independent and capable of making her own decisions and who is emerging in a strong way and will shape the destiny of our nation.
Of course early marriage is not the solution. But the problem is that not just in rural India, I believe at least 50% of Indians feel like what the Khap leaders believe. Its usually only in big cities that people don't agree. What would you say? Asked by: Abhishek Sharma
Child marriage is prohibited by the law of the land. We are all aware of the sever consequences of child marriage on the health and well-being of our population. It is not only detrimental to the health, education, and employment of women but also relegates women to a life of indignity, violence and subordination. As a nation we need to understand this and especially educated people need to take on the responsibility to sensitise our village population. Government needs to join in reaching out to every family through a very systematic awareness campaign about the ill-effect of child marriage. This is not only a rural phenomena we also observe child marriages in urban slums and poorer areas because child marriage is not only a cultural practice but also an economic compulsion. The government needs to ensure there is a comprehensive education system so that girl children are receiving education and that also education is gender sensitive.
Haryana Khap panchayat member recently said that lowering the age of marriage for girls to 16 can help prevent instances of rape. Are these words reflective of a retrograde mindset that contributes to crimes against women? Asked by: seema
It is really deplorable that the Khap panchayats are pushing Haryana into the medieval times and also taking decisions that are against the law of the land. When the law stipulates the age of marriage of girls at 18 and for boys 21 years of age it is ridiculous that Khaps are being allowed to make such pronouncements. Instead of controlling the behavior of men and boys the are pushing the girls into child marriages. We know the consequence of child marriage, a. That will be deprived of the fundamental right to education, b. early marriage will lead to early pregnancy which will take a toll on the health of the girls, c. the right to be gainfully employed will be denied therefore Haryana state should ensure that such entities are not allowed to contradict national legislation.
At least 13 cases of rape have been reported in the last one month in haryana. What should be done? Asked by: smriti
The Haryana government should take responsibility and put the law enforcement agency in action also the people's representative of the area must visit the family of the victims and help and ensure that the culprits are arrested and put to justice.
What actions should govt take to control Khap panchayats? Asked by: sneha
The supreme court of India in it's judgement has asked the states to ban such extra constitutional bodies which are responsible for creating division in society and are also responsible for the oppression and exploitation of women. It is unfortunate that they are still allowed to exist and flourish because of political patronage given by the political parties for reasons of getting votes. In fact, states must act upon the judgement of the supreme court and ban such entities. ie. Khap panchayats and caste panchayats.
What about married women raped in Haryana Asked by: DP
It is unfortunate that in spite of numerous rape cases being reported from the state of Haryana there is a clear lack of political will on the part of the government to act. There is strong evidence of an un-sensitised political class and lack of responsibility on the part of police forces and law enforcement agencies. A Dalit girl committing suicide after a gang rape is shocking and also clearly shows that the state is failing in providing protection to the underprivileged specially women.
Do you think that the society has been de-graded due to the constant bombardment of information and shows on the mass media, besides having a skewed male:female sex ratio ? Asked by: Manish
I think the media has helped in reaching out and sensitising people regarding the skewed male and female sex ratio. We need to be aware of the serious repercussions of the practice of sex-selective abortions.