A khap panchayat in Haryana's Jind district has blamed consumption of chowmein behind the growing incidents of rapes in the state saying it leads to hormonal imbalance. "To my understanding, consumption of fast food contributes to such incidents. Chowmein leads to hormonal imbalance evoking an urge to indulge in such acts," said Jitender Chhatar, a resident of Jind's Chhatar village and khap panchayat leader. "You also know the impact of chowmein, which is a spicy food, on our body. Hence, our elders also advised to consume light and nutritious food," Chhatar added. Last week, khap panchayats had evoked outrage after Sube Singh, a khap leader, advocated lowering of age of marriage for girls from 18 years to 16 years on the grounds that young girls are vulnerable to rapes and should be married off earlier. Om Prakash Chautala , leader of the Opposition, too backed the khaps' demand while Congress leaders including Haryana Congress chief Phool Cha...
