“It is nobler to lose honour to save the lives of men than it is to gain honour
by taking them”
-David Borestein
The title itself shouts out its meaning. History has been the witness of this crime. In the name of family/clan/community’s honour, murders are carried on. Various Indian TV series like “Savdhaan India” have portrayed this crime in their episodes.
Is there any definition of honour killing prescribed by law? What are the common methods of honour killing in India? Who are generally the victims of honour killing ?
These FAQs will surely hit your mind when you read the above introduction.
Honour killing- An explanation
There is no particular definition of the term honour killing prescribed by law. However, it may be described as murder or forced suicide in the name of imposing certain moral values, the transgression of which are professed as intolerable. An honour killing, also called a customary killing, is
the murder of a family or clan member by one or more fellow family members, where the murderers believe the victim to have brought dishonour upon the family, clan or community. Honour killing deals with a barbaric custom of murdering women for immoral activities, at the hands of male family members, including fathers, brothers and even husbands, to maintain the purity of honour or restore the family honour. The daughters who disobey their parents and decide to marry a man of her choice, are often considered to have brought dishonour upon her family and commited an offence that could be purified only with blood. Relatives, usually male, commit acts of violence against wives, sisters, daughters and mothers to reclaim their family honour from real or suspected actions that are perceived to have compromised it.
What are the common methods of Honour Killing in our country?
The methods of honour killing include:
1. Stoning
2. stabbing,
3. beating,
4. burning,
5. beheading,
6. hanging,
7. throat slashing,
8. lethal acid attacks,
9. Shooting
10. Strangulation.
NOTE: The murders are sometimes performed in public to warn the other women within the community
of possible consequences of engaging in what is seen as illicit behavior.
Who are the poor victims of such a heinous crime ?
Women, mostly are the victims of such a barbaric practice that is prevalent even in present times when India seems to be “developing!” But, men may also be subject to this brutal act in certain cases.
What are the reasons of such killing ?
- Refusal of an arranged marriage
Refusal of an arranged marriage by the girl, is often an excuse to kill her. The family which has prearranged the marriage risks disgrace if the marriage does not proceed. - Seeking a divorce
A woman attempting to obtain a divorce or separation without the consent of the
husband/extended family can also be a victim of honour killing. In traditionally conservative communities, where marriages are arranged without even the woman’s consent and gifts are exchanged between families, a woman’s decision to seek a divorce is often viewed as an insult to the men who negotiated the deal. By making their marital problems known, the women are often held reponsible for exposing the family to public dishonour. - Allegations and rumours about a family member
In certain cultures, an allegation against a woman can be enough to tarnish her family’s reputation, and to trigger an honour killing: the family’s fear of being ostracized by the community is enormous. - Victims of rape
In certain Indian communities, victims of rape face severe violence, including honour killings, from their families and relatives.
NOTE: This is especially the case if the victim becomes pregnant. - Homosexuality
There is evidence that homosexuality can also be perceived as a ground for honour killing by relatives. It is not only same-sex sexual acts that trigger violence, behaviors that are regarded as inappropriate gender expression e.g. a male acting or dressing in a “feminine way,” can also ignite this savage act.
Here are a few landmark cases of honour killing
Manoj- Babli murder case:
The Manoj–Babli honour killing case was the killing of Indian newlyweds Manoj Banwala and Babli in June 2007 and the successive court case which historically convicted the defendants for an honour killing. The individuals involved in the murder included relatives of Babli (Grandfather Gangaraj who is said to have been a Khap leader, Brother, Maternal and Paternal uncle and two cousins), relatives of Manoj, specially his mother, who defended the relationship.
Nitish Katara Murder case of 2002:
Nitish Katara, a business executive and the son of an IAS officer, was murdered on 17 February 2002, by Vikas Yadav, the son of Uttar Pradesh politician DP Yadav. Nitish had been in a relationship with DP Yadav’s daughter Bharti Yadav for a long time and the girl’s family did not approve of the relationship. Nitish’s murder took place on the night of the wedding of a friend who was known to both him and Bharti. Katara’s body was found on a highway. He had been battered to death with a hammer, following which diesel was poured on him and he was set on fire. The murder was committed by Vikas (Bharti’s real brother) and Vishal Yadav (Bharti’s cousin brother), and Sukhdev Pehalwan (a hired contract killer).
Nirupama Pathak murder case:
In May 2010, Nirupama Pathak, who was working as a journalist with a business daily in Delhi, was murdered by her family in Jharkhand because she was in a relationship with a man from a lower caste. According to PTI report, Nirupama was dating Priyabhanshu Ranjan, a colleague and friend from Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi and had planned to marry him in an Arya Samaj mandir. Nirupama was found dead on 29 April in her parents’ house in Tilaya in Koderma district in Jharkhand under mysterious circumstances. Her family then filed a case of rape and abetment to suicide against Priyabhanshu which was later found to be false.
Say “No” to barbarism in the name of traditions !
Honour Killings are homicide and murder which are serious crimes under the Indian Penal Code. It also violates Articles 14, 15 (1) & (3) 19, 21 and 39(f) of the Constitution of India. It is also against the spirit of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. There cannot be an honour in killing.
This article has been contributed by Anurag Mishra, First Year, Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad