Khap panchayats are retrograde: P Chidambaram

“What is a khap panchayat? A khap panchayat is a retrograde organisation. It is not part of India’s culture and I am appalled to see somebody say it’s part of India’s culture. How can it be part of India’s culture?,” he said addressing students of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) here on Wednesday.

Kejriwal had in a recent interview said he does not see the need for banning khap panchayats or unelected all-male village councils because they serve a “cultural purpose.”

Attacking Kejriwal’s Aam Admi Party (AAP) for defending khap, Chidambaram said, “(it’s) rubbish. Must have the courage to stand up and say these retrograde practices are not part of India’s culture… These are simply (organisations of) self serving individuals who propagate this poisonous culture”.