Khap diktat: No one has the right to curb anyone's freedom', says Akhilesh

New Delhi, July 24 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said no one has the right to curb anyone's freedom.

"Whatever should happen should happen for the betterment of society. I firmly believe that no one has the right to curb anyone's freedom," Yadav told media at a FICCI interaction here.

"Whatever the Khap's or panchayat's directives are, they should be in the larger interest of society. We are not silent on Khaps. If decisions are taken that curb freedom, we will act against them," he added.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had earlier criticised the Khap Panchayat, saying that 'dictates or diktats have no place in a democracy'.

"Dictates (or diktats) have no place in democracy. Police must act against anyone giving dictates," Chidambaram said.

He also urged the Uttar Pradesh Government to instruct police officials to take strict actions against such people in Baghpat District.

"If such a diktat has been issued in Baghpat, I would expect the state government to instruct the police authorities to ensure that nobody comes to harm for 'violating that diktat' that diktat has no legal authority," Chidambaram had said.

A panchayat in Baghpat district had recently has asked women to cover their heads before leaving their homes. Moreover, they have also issued orders that women, younger than 40, must not leave their homes at all after sunset.

It has also been decided in Baghpat that they will not allow love marriages in their villages, and those who disobey will be banished from the village. (ANI)