Honour Killing

Dev Verma1

“As long as caste in India does exist, Hindus will hardly intermarry or have any social
intercourse with outsiders and if Hindus migrate to other regions on earth, Indian caste
would become a world problem.”-Dr.B.R Ambedkar2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
i. INTRODUCTION OF HONOUR KILLING……………………………..2
ii. CONCEPT BEHIND HONONUR KILLING…………………………….3
iii. HISTORY BEHIND HONOUR KILLING……………………………….4
iv. CASES OF HONOUR KILLING…………………………………………5
v. LAW PRENSENTLY ON HONOUR KILLING…………………………5
vi. FILMS ON HONOUR KILLING…………………………………………6
vii. CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………7

1
The author is extremely grateful to Dr. Alexander Christoph Fischer for his substantive comments and
feedback.

2
Ambedkar Drbr, 'CASTES IN INDIA: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development' (Dr A A Goldenweiser, 9th
May 1916) <http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/txt_ambedkar_castes.html#:~:text=It
%20is%20a%20local%20problem,has%20defied%20a%20great%20many> accessed 23 December 2020

1
INTRODUCTION……
Society is governed by men. Society of patriarchs. Values in Culture. About our society. System Caste. The
Good Morals. This are some of the words we have grown up with and embraced as part of our family traditions
and adapted into the standards of culture. For an upper caste male, the most convenient thing to see as they are
born with the kind of value and reverence we all crave.

The bulk of 'honour killings' published in our media are caste killings, or caste-name killings. Not just ruling
caste families, but even some are interested in the question of 'honour.' The idea of 'honour' is intended to
regulate women and curtail their independence, especially with regard to the right to choose their life partners. 3
Marriage is an institution that has entrenched the hierarchy of castes. Caste underpins marriage, and torture and
nasty, brutish abuse are met by those who opposes it, sometimes ending in death. This, even though caste
oppression and untouchability violations are proclaimed by the Constitution.

An honour or conventional assassination is the murder by other members of a family or social group because of
the belief that the deceased has misrepresented his family or society (and possibly the larger community). Here I
will write about honour killings.

This is a term given to murders where, according to upper caste interpretation, there is no clear reason or
purpose other than the fact that Indian cultural standards have somehow degraded. These serious offences
involve a woman who wants a divorce from a potentially violent partner, a woman who wants to terminate a
foetus, a woman who is abused by a loathsome predator, a woman who speaks to a non-family person, or a
woman who marries someone in society. Sometimes, in such cases, the lower case male often experiences
vengeance.

In India, the social system is fully affected by some definitions of reality that are conditioned by theological
philosophies. It needs and expects community to function in compliance with it. The individual's refusal to
comply would result in harsh treatment against them that would result in events such as honour killing in the
present sense. In low light, social relations with the so-called weaker, backward castes are shown; this has been
the standard for centuries. If someone violates such norms, their so-called honour is viewed as an assault. A
main illustration that cements the spirit of the caste hierarchy and retains supreme control is the Khap
Panchayats. There is the rule of law, on the other side, which guarantees human rights. And individual integrity,
self-choice, and self-esteem are prioritised. But the rising cases of honour killing in the last few years show the
current loopholes in those rules. And it often periodically tracks how societal values overlap, or in situations,
supersede, the rule of law. It is very important to take a multi-dimensional perspective to explain the phenomena
of honour killing. We ought to shed light on the conceptualization of 'honour' in this regard, its historical &
theoretical viewpoints, and their experiences.

3
 SUREPALLY Sujatha , 'Caste kills more in India than coronavirus' (DECCAN CHRONICLE, 15 MARCH
2020) <https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/150320/caste-kills-more-in-india-than-
coronavirus.html> accessed 23 December 2020

2
CONCEPT……
Honor is correlated with honour, esteem, reverence, but no one might have thought the term connected with the
most barbaric deeds. In general, couples who marry of their own desire, of their own decision, who go against
their own families and culture risk significant repercussions. The key source of the denial is usually the identity
of the caste. Families do not hesitate to destroy their blood relatives if they break down caste boundaries and
challenge their dominance. In reality, it has been a repeatable and 'honourable' social norm in the last few
decades.

Sociologists believe that the cause for honour killings is still due to the rigour of the caste system. Upper caste
families take pride in their original roots and believe that a matrimonial union with the lower caste segment of
society is undesirable, even atrociity.. It is also true that a caste system is the second underlying cause of the
honour killings. This match is considered with disdain and where the dilemma occurs with your own home,
drastic actions are introduced that derive from your own inherent values and that you want to prevent
differences within community. They try to protect the integrity of their families at all costs. As is usually the
case, the son-in-law is murdered along with the boy. This phenomenon persists, although it could have already
been discontinued.

“There are different forms in which the men and women possess honour. For men, the source of honour is to
dominate people weaker to them, the vulnerable, and the women. And there is the sense of losing that honour in
the absence of potential, failure and their incapability to do so. For women the source is purity, endurance,
virginity, obedience etc. and they see the loss of virginity, self-esteem as the loss of honour.” 4

Over the years, thought has shifted, particularly among women, and numerous feminist campaigns have played
a crucial role. The traditional definitions of 'purity' and 'honour' are being revised, and the concepts of 'purity'
and 'honour' are being integrated into natural and civil rights. Over the years, though, the understanding of
honour stays the same in the case of males. ‘The rigidity of the caste system would not encourage inter-caste
marriages, so couples typically elope and marry. Two diametrically opposite authorities, i.e. structured and
informal, control the public domain. The institutional authority is a State which has its own legal rules and
regulations. And the informal jurisdiction is mostly under 'caste' Panchayats, which do not have any legal
standing. There are regarded as 'khap panchayats' who publicly support marriages of the same caste. Khap
panchayats are of a patriarchal and religious type. They have a consistent struggle with modernity, and their
decisions represent racism, bigotry and exploitation in the name of honour. In the other side, there is widespread
defence by the statutory authority to deal with inter-caste marriages.’ 5
‘The right to marriage is a part of the right to life as provided by the Constitution of India. In the judgments, the
High Court of Delhi claimed that 'choosing a partner is a constitutional right.’6

Both formal and informal officials are leading players who cultivate their own notion of honour. In the
conceptualization of dignity, all officials refute each other. The notions of honour are rooted in the informal
orthodox theological ideologies. And the concept of honour centres around the universal natural protections for
official authority. The Dalits are still in the process of such incidents, both in urban and rural regions, as a
consequence of inhumanity. In households, Dalit spouses are not permitted. They are actually viewed as an act
of dishonour in the family and adversely influence the social status of the group.

4
Pal,A (2012). Honour Killing : Culture, Dilemma and Ritual. Arise Publishers and Distributors. New Delhi 

5
Chowdhry,P (2004). Private Lives, State Intervention: Cases of Runaway Marriage in Rural North India.
Modern Asian Studies. Pp – 55,63,84 

6
Right to choose life partner is a fundamental right: HC

3
HISTORY BEHIND HONOUR KILLING……

The root cause of ideas such as honour and supremacy is based in religious scriptures on caste-based hegemony.
The theory of the system of Chaturvarna originated from the hymn of the Rig Veda of Purusha Sukta. Varna is
the foundation of social stratification in the Hindu social structure. From the earlier phases of Indian culture,
caste institution existed. Races that came to India at various times eventually fusioned into established castes.
They were given varying duties depending on the principle of 'cleanliness' and 'cleanliness.' Also marriage
partnerships were severely forbidden with another caste group; only the form of marriage 'anuloma' was
allowed.
‘Looking at the marriage structure in Hinduism, it is called inter-caste marriage and is thus restricted, thus only
endogamy marriages in the system of varna have been encouraged. Two modes of marriage between castes were
created.’
A surge of social reformers opposed orthodox traditions in the 19th century. Jotiba Phule, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar,
E. V. Ramasamy Periyar and several others are associated with significant change of the caste system. For caste
marriages, Dr.B.R. Ambedkar's and E's points of view. V. Ramasamy Periyar is highly relevant and needs to be
taken into account. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar claimed in his Caste Annihilation.

‘What needs to be seen is how the change will be incorporated into the Hindu social order. How will caste be
removed? I am persuaded that, in comparison to inter-cast diners, intermarriage is the true solution. Blood
fusion alone will establish the impression of becoming a kith and family and until this feeling of parenthood
becomes primordial, the divisive feeling – Caste's sense of being an outsider would not disappear. The Hindus
marriage must obviously have a stronger element than is expected in non-Hindus existence in social life. Where
culture is still knit by other marriages, marriage reflects a normal event in life. But when culture breaks down,
marriage becomes an urgent problem as a connecting power. Intermarriage is the real cure for fracturing Caste.
As a solvent of Caste, none more can serve.’7

7
Ambedkar,BR (2013). Dr.Ambedkar writing and speeches. Vol-1. Part-2. Pp-37-124 

4
CASES OF HONOUR KILLING……
1. Kerala's Kottayam killed guy….
‘On 24 May 2018, Neenu Chacko was married to Kevin Joseph, a Christian converted from Kottayam.
Despite intense resistance from Neenu's relatives, the pair had applied for marriage together. Several
days later, in what has now been ruled an honour massacre, Joseph's corpse was discovered with torture
marks at a dam near Kollam.
Kevin's assassination is a case in point of not often upholding the perceived purity of a caste through
honour killings. While the girl's parents had separate faiths, on the basis of social status they always
rejected marriage.’8

2. Manoj-Babli Case
‘In June 2007, Babli's relatives murdered violently in the diktat of the khap panchayat in the Kaithal
area, for dating the same gotra, Manoj and Babli.
In March 2010, five Babli families — her brother Suresh, uncles Rajender and Baru Ram and Satish
and Gurdev cousins — were sentenced to death by a district court in Karnal for murdering a couple.
Banawala Khap chief Ganga Raj was sentenced to life for hatching plot, a famous Congressional leader
of this country. The seventh accused, the car driver for the crimes Mandeep Singh, was convicted of
abduction and treason for seven years of incarceration.
Chandrapati, the mother of Manoj, had been swept away by the punishment but his latest judgement
destroyed his confidence, when she was ostracised by her community and community.
In the Manoj-Babli honorary killing case, the High Court in Punjab as well as the Haryana commuted
the death sentence given to four convicts. Ganga Raj, the principal conspirator, claimed and Satish was
acquitted with a further prisoner.’9

LAW PRENSENTLY ON HONOUR KILLING……

No clear rule on honour killing exists to date. The assassination is known as a general crime or killing.
The honour killing is often often carried out by a crowd, and once the mob has made such an event, it is
difficult to find an individual to blame. Collecting facts is complicated because there will only be
eyewitnesses. Yet honour killing is opposed to civil rights internal legislation and the agendas of a
united country. But while we have no statute directly to deal with it in India, we do have a judicial
process on it. Any bills against honour killings in the dormant phase are also set to be discussed in the
parliament sonner.

FILMS ON HONOUR KILLING……

8
Indian express, 'NATION' (Crying shame: The honour killings that shocked India in 2018, 29th
December ) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/dec/29/2018-a-look-at-the-trend-of-honour-
killings-in-india-1916828.html> accessed 20 December 2020

9
The hindu, 'NATION' (Death sentence commuted in Manoj-Babli case, 12th
MARCH) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Death-sentence-commuted-in-Manoj-Babli-
case/article14943294.ece> accessed 20 December 2020

5
 1. KHAP
“Khap focused on the topic of honour killings begins with a traditional prologue in which a couple are
burned to death to marry the same gotra by villagers (clan). The blaze in this undemanding scenario is
modelled on digital imagery. The fire that the film deals with is almost as fraudulent with the
predominant subject of honour killings. The fiction that the film attempts to weave about the matter is
the most easy and stereotypical outcome one may conceive of. A village head (Om Puri) is not in the
same gotra, and everyone who tries to do so in his city is done. His son (Mohnish Behl) was a human
rights activist sent to the village to examine a case of the suspected assassination of honour, who had
disapproved of the philosophies of the father and had broken relations ages earlier. Yet the
fundamentalist dad flipped a fresh leaf overnight after his son disappeared. The trouble begins when
Yuvika Chaudhary, his granddaughter, becomes married and the villagers rebelled at her same clan
marriage.
To make sure that the audience doesn't think that it's a documentary about honour killing, director dear
ensures that he applies a half dozen song dancing routines to any commercial feature of an internet love
storey and checks the degree of viewer tolerance. It's all amateurish, from performing to directing.
When the scenario doesn't elicit feelings, Mohnish Behl unexpectedly laughs in the ringtone in an
unintended atmosphere. The characters are so poor that even once you don't care for the victims.
You also have an impromptu monologue of an unexpectedly presented Alok Nath, who describes how
marriages in the same family can contribute to genetic disorders, to argue the film is not one-sided on
the topic of same class marriages. The whole scene, though, seems to be an attempt to please the Khaps
by offering a clean-chit certificate after they've been humiliated throughout. Km. is briefly touched on
but never explained about his political affiliation and ambitions.
The illiterate villagers are not being educated on the biological boundaries of the allowable marriage of
the same clan. There is no effort to eliminate honour killing rituals. The only big revision the film tries
is for the hero to obtain an order from the Supreme Court without effort in just 2 days which legalises
the same marriage.
None impresses the performances. Om Puri is hit by a contradictory portrayal to lend him an optimistic
hue. As always, Govind Namdeo hams. Yuvika Chaudhary ensures she also brings the funeral of her
father into the movie. Sarrtaj doesn't catch your eye. Shammi Aunty is struggling to bring her line in. It
is daily Mohnish Behl. He doesn't know what he does in the movie, Alok Nath. The only actor to learn
to act is Manoj Pahwa.”10

2. SAIRAT
After 4-5 years of passion, in Sairat, the two of the girls were violently assassinated after their young
boy, one and a half years old, accompanied by marriage before the law. It's an honour violation as she
runs from her village with a lower caste untouchable ex-friend. Due to this effect, he dishonoured the
family of his father who belonged not only to the governing Maratha caste but also to the richest in the
country. The supremacy of this family verdict is evident in the film

CONCLUSION……
Facing clear constitutional protections, in recent times there are still quite a lot of instances of caste honour
killings. The main source of honour killing is inter-caste marriages. ‘The state is actively underreporting the
incidents of honour killings. Also questions may be placed on NCRB, since in Tamil Nadu in 2017 and 2018
they did not even record a single case of honour killing. Indeed, in Tamil Nadu there were 195 reported honour
10
Economic times, 'NATION' (Khap: Movie Review, 28th
JULY) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Khap-Movie-
Review/articleshow/9393486.cms> accessed 21 December 2020

6
murders. Furthermore, the states send the centre data to frame the NCRB study in the case of honour killing.
These statistics ought to be validated a few times, first at the level of the police station and secondly after district
restructuring. Either local officials do not register the incidents or do not provide the authentic means for
monitoring honour killings.’11

In respect to the above procedural and technological differences, a consistent call to create a special statute for
the killing of honours. But in that sense the underlying forces that fuel these actions are still very relevant to
remember. No one should argue that this inhumane act has been paved the way for the caste structure derived
from religionist theology. Here's another pivotal opinion of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar. He says, ‘Caste might be
incorrect, but it should be recognised that the Hindus don't watch Caste and they are not cruel or wrong-headed.
People are not wrong with Caste's observation but their faith is false and this definition of Caste has been
inculcated. If that's right, it is clear that the adversary for which you must battle is not the people who watch
Caste, but the Shastras, who advise this Caste religion.’12 With that background, we can provide a detailed
image if we placed the focus on a few contexts from theology.
Therefore, change must come from within us as a society. Education will contribute significantly to this. We
need to understand a person's ancestry and caste. Ultimately, it doesn't matter; it's the person's free will. Above
all, families need to respect women, make the right choices and have faith in charting the right path for them.

11
The swaddle, 'NATION' (Why India Needs a Separate Law for Honor Killings, 21th
APRIL) <https://theswaddle.com/honor-killings-india-law/> accessed 21 December 2020

12
Ambedkar,BR (2013). Dr.Ambedkar writing and speeches. Vol-1. Part-2. Pp-37-124