Not happy with its Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal’s remarks on khap panchayats asking for a legal ban on same-gotra (clan or lineage) marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, the Congress on Wednesday sought an explanation from him.
Responding to a question about his views on the subject, AICC general secretary in charge of Haryana Prithviraj Chavan told reporters that he had “sought an explanation from him”.
Mr Jindal had praised the work of the caste councils at a Khap Mahapanchayat and extended support to their demand to amend the Hindu Marriage Act to prohibit same-gotra marriages. He had even promised to take up their demand with the party high command and government.
Government sources later confirmed the party has received an explanatory note from Mr Jindal. “He (Jindal) has given an explanation. He is not in support of them. The party has already made its stand clear and the matter is closed now,” a senior party functionary said.