Historically speaking, Indian society is a caste ridden society. Caste Panchayat is a traditional institution existing since time immemorial in almost all over rural India. However, ugliest manifestation of its functioning can be seen in Northern and North Western part of the country. Structurally, Caste Panchayat is an institution formed only by the members of a particular caste and sub-castes. This is essentially a body of unelected members. Caste Panchayat is an illegal and unconstitutional parallel structure to that of the formal Panchayat structure created under 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Being an illegal and unconstitutional institution when it forms a wider conglomerate of Panchayats of multiple villages (known as Khap in northern India) it poses a wider challenge to the democratic structure and the Constitutional polity in various ways. Caste Panchayat is not only a social institution but also a political and quasi- judicial institution. Caste panchayats claim legality and justi?cation of their existence by virtue of their antiquity under customary law. However, the legal position is clear. Mere antiquity of an institution cannot be a legal justi?cation for its existence, more so when it reinforces practice of untouchability, and perpetuates caste system and caste disabilities. Caste Panchayat remains the single most powerful institution that determines power structure and power relationship in village society. The institution is all pervasive and determines and affects all aspects of lives of Dalits and backward communities from birth to death. In this background, the proposed Seminar has been conceptualised.

 

 

Objectives

 

 

The objective of this National Seminar is not to pass any legal or moral judgment against the institution of Caste Panchayat but to understand its structural and functional dynamics interfacing the constitutional values. The objective also extends to understand social, legal and constitutional nuances and angularities of Caste Panchayats and its overall impact on the rural society. Accordingly, the outcome of the Seminar would facilitate the organizers, participants and other stake holders to make legislative and policy interventions to bring about positive social transformation. This Seminar would also provide excellent opportunity to the participants to put across their own views and exchange of ideas in order to have a holistic understanding on the subject matter.

 

 

Call for Papers

 

 

Well researched original papers and case studies are invited from academics/scholars, researchers, bar & bench, non-state actors and students. Only one co-author is permitted. Co-author is also required to pay registration fees. All research papers shall be scrutinized through blind review of Editorial Board. All papers shall be subjected to anti-plagiarism software 'TURNITIN'. Selected papers may be published in the form of a book with ISBN number.

 

Brochure-National Seminar on Caste Panchyat

 

 

Rgistration Form

 

SLIC Format