Honour killings in India!

Honour killings in India

To fall in love has proved fatal for many young boys and girls in parts of north India as the intolerant orthodox society refuses to accept any violation of its rigid decorum when it comes to women. It is considered as spoiling the family’s reputation and thus the girls are killed if they are found to be involved in any relationship with boys. There was an instance In Noida when two teenage girls were shot dead by their cousin for daring to run away and meet their boyfriends. Many such killings happen regularly in Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh. Moreover these are socially sanctioned by the caste panchayats and are carried out by mobs with the approval of family members!

The only remedy to prevent such dreadful activities is to ensure that the society is more gender sensitive and shed prejudices of class and caste. Efforts should be made to educate people against the societal biases. Along with this it should be made clear that there is no escape for those who try to take justice in their own hands. Currently there is no specific law which deals with honour killings. These murders come under the general categories of manslaughter or homicide. When the attack is done by a mob it becomes difficult to pinpoint a culprit particularly. The collection of evidence and proof becomes difficult and eyewitnesses are never found.

Just like the cases of dowry and sati, where there are specific laws with specific terms of punishment, honour killings too should be considered a punishable offence. In lot of cases, the victims who run away with their lovers are lured back home after filing FIRs by their own family members. The young couple falls prey in the hands of their own family members and neighborhood people. Still no strict action is taken against them.

Undoubtedly, the deadly virus of caste system and the so called family’s reputation that is responsible for such crimes should be stopped. Strict laws should be implemented which will prevent such future events. We live in a democratic country which itself gives us the right to do what we want. So why are we burdened to follow the caste and class ego. Its high time the mentality needs to be changed. India will progress when the mentality of people change. No political leader alone can help the country progress. Change yourself and see the society change!