Friday, July 2, 2010
Killing in the name of honour or pride is not a new term in Indian society, particularly in rural areas. The northern states of Haryana and UP have always been notorious for this henious crime, but the sudden surge in the cases of honour killing in metropolitan cities has undoubtedly shaken everyone.
The recent murders of a young couple and a woman, allegedly by their own brothers in the city like New Delhi not only highlights the darker side of Indian social system but also raised a question mark on the effectiveness of legal enforecement authorities.
These unjustified and brutual killings of youths, who dared to love or tie the nupital bond with their will, but against the wishes of their family members, only showed the helplessness of our legal system.
In most of the cases the victims had demanded police protection but their application remained unheard. Sarcastically, the alleged killers or the so-called crusaders of local customs showed no remorse for their crime. I heard one of the accused saying “we killed them for bringing disgrace for our family and we have no regret,” when he was asked by media persons.
These cases gives a sensational revealation that how the self-styled crusaders of tradition-preservation forces are involved in murders for the sake of dignity and pride.
Interestingly, the Khap Panchayats (local caste councils of elders), an influential local bodies formed to solve local issues, have played a crucial role in issuing diktats against young couples who dared to marry within the same gotra (clan), the thing which is against local customs and is regarded as one of the most henious crime.
Even politicians are seem to be reluctant in bringing tougher laws to protect the killings in the name of honour and dignity in the country. One of the finest examples of politician’s apathy is Haryana state, which has recorned a number of cases regarding caste related violence and honour killings. The state has witnessed a series of such incidents in the past few years.
The bigwigs of state politics, right from the state Chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda and main opposition leader Om Prakash Chautala to the businessman turned lawmaker Naveen Jindal, are trying to defend Khap Panchayat leaders saying that the khap panchayats are just like social organisations which have been doing social work for centuries.
Now, the question arises, whether our legal system is strong enough to provide full proof security to young couples who dared to marry within the same clan or against the wishes of their family members? I think the government must realise the sensitibility of the iisue and bring tougher laws to prevent these killings.
