Matters of love and yore

June 30, 2010 09:33 pm | Updated 09:33 pm IST

A still from the film.

A still from the film.

Custom is the great guide to human life but what if it starts ruling us with the imperious hand of a despot. This is what is happening with Khap panchayats' diktats on same gotra (sub-caste) marriages leading to the so-called honour killings. As cinema mirrors life, director Ajai Sinha took no time in turning the burning issue into a film called Khap .

Known for directing sensitive tele-serials like Hasratein and Astitva, Sinha started work last October when he came across a story in a newspaper. Having grown up in Lucknow, Sinha understands the socio-political context of the subject and he says the film depicts the point of view of both sides. “But it takes an unequivocal stand that taking law in your own hands is not justified,” says Sinha.

Putting things in perspective, Sinha says one khap consists of 40 villages and were formed in the medieval period to take on Afghan raiders by inculcating brotherhood in neighbouring villages. Later they proved helpful in dispensing justice in social and matrimonial disputes, cases which prove time and money consuming in our legal set up. These khaps also helped in arranging marriages of the economically backward in the villages. However, as in other systems, corrupt practices started setting in khaps as well. They became centres of power game. They became so powerful that they could destabilise Haryana politics. The elder generation didn't want the young and educated to take charge. So they started disseminating medieval customs which have little functional value in today's time. If centuries ago somebody was called your chachi to inculcate brotherhood in the region, how it prohibits you to marry in her family today,” asks Sinha.

Experts' opinion

He says he has spoken to experts in genetics and they say avoiding three generations is advisable but not necessary. “It is like if you have touched kerosene its smell persists even if you wash hands with soap. After washing three times you will feel satisfied but there might be some elderly uncle whose sense of smell is stronger. He could still sniff kerosene. This doesn't mean he won't allow you to serve food.”

We are seeing cases of young brothers killing sisters in the name of honour and their educated representatives defending the custom on news channels. “There is a difference between educated and literate. My mother was seventh pass but when I grew up she was okay with me marrying out of my caste. She had apprehensions about me marrying a Muslim but still she used to say – my only expectation is the girl should take good care of my son. I feel she was educated. You have to realise that despite being in neighbourhood of National Capital, the region we are talking about has missed out on development in the real sense of the term. A large number of them still treat their women as animals and their gender sensitivity shows in the skewed sex ratio. Now, when a generation is moving out of the ghettos they are holding mobile and the media responsible for corrupting their girls.”

Om Puri who is playing the role of the head of one such khap, whose granddaughter unknowingly falls in love with a boy of the same khap in the film, says, “Over the years our system is helping these khaps because of vote bank politics. But I am happy the judiciary has come down heavily on this inhuman practice. The Supreme Court has asked the government to come up with a Bill and I hope the government will act quickly and impartially.”

Yuvika Chaudhary, who is playing the girl who goes against the khap, belongs to Western Uttar Pradesh where many cases of honour killing have been reported. “See, a generation has moved out of villages. Kids are not told about their gotras. I myself was not aware of this khap and gotra thing till these cases appeared in newspapers. So the parents should realise that if a boy or girl falls in love, it is out of innocence. The issues should be addressed with maturity, not violence. Also youngsters should respect the customs which are in practice for centuries.” She says eyebrows were raised when she joined modelling and film industry. “You can't satisfy everybody but my parents had faith in me and my career option. Similarly when I will marry I will take my parents into confidence.”

Sinha is trying to release the film by August end and is not worried about the backlash. “It is a piece of fiction rooted in reality. The film has eight songs and has plenty of light moments.”

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