Leaders from approximately 300 khap panchayats gathered in Haryana's Jind on Sunday for a 'mahapanchayat', threatening a large-scale protest if their demands to ban live-in relationships and same-sex marriages are not met.

Representatives from khap panchayats across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh attended the meeting. Raghubir Nain, the chief of Benain Khap, stated, "Live-in relationships should be banned. Same-sex marriages should be banned as even the animals avoid this."

Nain clarified the khaps' stance on love marriages, emphasizing the importance of parental consent. "We are not against love marriages, but parents' consent is crucial as no parent wishes harm upon their children," he said. The khaps also oppose marriages within the same gotra (clan).

Nain announced that khap panchayat representatives plan to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to pressure the government to amend the relevant laws. "If our demands are not met, we will launch an agitation," he warned, adding that a 51-member committee is being formed for the cause.

Female khap leader Santosh Dahia also spoke out against live-in relationships. "The biggest issue discussed is live-in relationships and marriages within the same gotra. Legalizing live-in relationships has disrupted family systems, negatively impacting society, children, and our culture," she said.

Dahia expressed concerns about the impact of live-in relationships on women, stating that women are often "the worst affected" as their husbands and brothers might neglect them for other partners. "Women should fight against the live-in culture as it prevents them from seeking justice," she argued.

Regarding same gotra marriages, Dahia noted the social and genetic issues they pose. "Same gotra marriages have damaged the social fabric and created genetic problems, which multiply with such unions," she explained.

The mahapanchayat concluded with a call to action, urging the government to address their demands promptly.