SC notice on honour killings
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COMMENTS 
Taking serious note of the growing number of cases of honour killing, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, the Haryana government and six other states asking about the steps taken so far to protect young couples
The Supreme Court of India, on June 21, 2010, issued notices to the Centre, Haryana and six other states on honour killings seeking responses from the respective governments on a petition filed by the NGO Shakti Vahini in the wake of growing concern over a spurt in honour killings in many parts of the country.
The NGO complained that although there was a spurt in such killings in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Haryana, neither the Centre nor the state governments were taking steps to curb the menace due to “vote-bank politics”.
“Reasons for honour killings can be as trivial as talking to a man, or as innocent as suffering rape. These crimes are often collective and premeditated,” the NGO said in its plea. It has also demanded that states constitute a special cell in each district that couples can approach for their safety.
Disturbing reports of honour killings have come from many states including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In the national capital Delhi itself, a couple was tortured through the night and electrocuted just last week.
According to the petitioner, newly-married couples who dare to defy caste organisations like the khap panchayats in north India face a number of threats. Besides facing death at the hands of panchayat members or family members, they also suffer from the fear of social boycott, acid attacks, etc.
The khap panchayats have recently been demanding amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act to declare same-gotra marriages null and void, although the apex court earlier held that so-called ‘honour killings’ were in fact cold-blooded murders and that no honour was involved in them. Instead, it called for encouragement of inter-caste and inter-religion marriages.
Honour killing is the murder of persons accused of “bringing shame” upon their family. Victims have been killed for refusing to enter a marriage, committing adultery, or being in a relationship that displeases their relatives. In many instances, the crimes are committed by family members against a female relative.
Calling honour killings diabolical, social activist and former Haryana minister Swami Agnivesh said khap panchayats must end the violence unleashed in the name of ancestral lineage. Khap panchayats should instead cooperate in ensuring the rule of the law, and strive for social reforms.
Source: Press Trust of India, June 21, 2010
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