MAINS 2015
GS2
12.5 marks
Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and judiciary to set things right in this regard.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Critically assess what the legislature, executive and judiciary have done to curb khap panchayats' rights violations.
Discuss criticallyAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Problem: diktats against inter-caste and same-gotra marriages, honour killings, social boycott, dress codes for women≈35 words
- 2Judiciary: Lata Singh (2006), Shakti Vahini (2018) guidelines - preventive, remedial, punitive; Manoj-Babli trial≈35 words
- 3Legislature: no central law; 242nd Law Commission draft bill not enacted; IPC/BNS provisions used≈35 words
- 4Executive: special cells, police protection, safe houses - but weak enforcement and political patronage≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Khap actionsJudicial responseLegislative gapExecutive responseAssessment and way forward
Where marks usually go
- Not covering all three organs separately
- Condemning khaps without noting their social base and need for dialogue
Draw this
- Three-column table: legislature, executive, judiciary - action and gap
Value addition
- CaseShakti Vahini v Union of India (2018): khap interference in marriage of consenting adults is illegal; police to provide protection and act against such assemblies.Supreme Court, 2018
- ReportThe 242nd Law Commission Report (2012) drafted the Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances Bill.Law Commission of India, 2012
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Alfred Thomas · Page 13 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 9 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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