[Reader-list] Protest against honour crimes on Saturday 15 May at 5 pm in Central Market, Lajpat Nagar PLEASE JOIN US!

[Saheli Women]

*“Babli and Manoj Killed”….. “Nirupama killed”…… “khap panchyat diktat out
against couple”...“couple seek police protection”…. *



*We have to say NO to these crimes justified in the name of 'honour'!*

*We have to assert our right to choose our own partners irrespective of
caste, class, religion, ethnicity or gender!*



On a daily basis one hears these kind of news about killings in the name of
'honour' and diktats against couples whose crime seems to be to love a
person of another caste or the same village. On the one hand we have the
Khap Panchayats who are exercising power and control through various diktats
and valorising the murder of young couples and on the other there are family
members who are party to killing their own daughters or pushing them to
suicide to protect so called family honour. These incidents have spread in
an aggressive way and are becoming more widespread not only in rural areas
but in big cities and among people of all classes and castes.



The silence of the Government against the diktats of the Khap Panchayats,
which deny fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution,
indicates the reluctance of the state machinery to uphold the rights of
young men and women. We are also shocked by the active support to the
Khaps given often by State governments, political leaders, the local
judiciary and police. We have already got endorsements from about 200
groups/individuals for letters to Chief Ministers of Haryana, Delhi, UP and
Rajasthan demanding action against khap leaders and instituting inquiry into
incidents of 'honour killings'.



We invite you to a protest to condemn these killings and to ask the
Government to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens as laid down in
the Constitution.



*Please bring your placards and banners. You are also welcome to join us in
the Saheli office on the 15th of May at 2 pm where we will be making
placards.*



Date: Saturday, 15th May 2010 at 5 pm

Venue: Central Market, Lajpat Nagar

Meeting point: 3Cs Cinema Hall



Let’s get together to raise our voice, in hope that a time comes when we
don't open the newspapers to news about crimes against young people in the
name of ‘honour’.



Spread the word and join us.



In solidarity,



Saheli



Please forward this mail to all your friends!



-- 
Saheli Women's Resource Centre
Above Unit 105-108
Defence Colony Flyover Market
New Delhi 100 024