[Reader-list] END BARBARISM

[Asit Das]

Date: 2 October 2013
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/360537/end-barbarism.html


End barbarism
Oct 1, 2013 :

*In spite of claims by governments of strong action in cases of honour
killings, and widespread exposure and criticism in the media, these
killings take place regularly in some parts of the country.*

A few days ago, a young couple was tortured and killed in public view by
the girl’s parents in Haryana’s Rohtak district, and their bodies were left
beheaded and half-burnt. While the killings were shocking, the khap
panchayats (community councils), which sanction and demand such
punishments, were not only unrepentant but were even offensive. The sarv
khap panchayat which was held in Rohtak later wanted the Hindu Marriage Act
to be amended to ban inter-caste and same gotra marriages. These retrograde
bodies have actually become bolder in the last few years and this is
because of the submissive politics played by political parties and state
governments.

The khap panchayats are illegal and unconstitutional but they have a big
influence over local communities. Political parties and governments are not
prepared to oppose them because they control votes. One Haryana minister
even defended honour killings. The Supreme Court has called them crimes of
the rarest of the rare kind but actually successful prosecution and
punishment of the guilty is a rare occurrence. The Central government
proposed a separate law to deal with honour killings as there is no
specific law covering them. Even a Group of Ministers was set up to evolve
a consensus on the law. But the move was scuttled mainly by the governments
of the three states—Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – where honour
killings are rampant.

There is again talk of the law and the need to punish not only the
perpetrators of killings but also members of the khap panchayats which
support them. But it is doubtful if such a law which, as it was conceived,
would require the accused to prove their innocence if they are charged with
honour killings, would be enacted. Haryana and Rajasthan have always
disingenuously  maintained that the administrative orders they have issued
are enough to deal with the problem. There is the need for pressure from
the Centre, society and the media to make these governments take effective
action to prevent these inhuman actions and to punish those guilty of them.
It is also necessary to create greater awareness among the communities in
which honour killings find acceptance.