Haryana leader of the Opposition Om Prakash Chautala has sparked off a controversy on the issue of rising crime against women in the state by backing khap panchayats' bizarre demand of lowering the marriageable age of girls from 18 to 16 years to curb the rising cases of rape. Backing the khap panchayat members, he said they are respectable and responsible citizens and that their demand is justified. According to him, unmarried women are vulnerable. While differing from the powerful khaps is a bitter task for politicians since the latter control votes, should political leaders toe their line to the level of absurdity?