In a landmark judgement, Karnal sessions court on 30 March convicted five people who were involved in an honour killing in 2007. It took almost three years for the court to take up action against the killers, such step should have been taken much earlier; however, better late than never. This is a historic moment for the people of Haryana particularly those who have been the victims of a heinous crime called Honour Killing.
Honour killing is an atrocious crime where a family or a khap panchayat (caste council) kills individuals who marry in the same gotra (sub-caste).This brutal crime is done to save the honour of a family or a community.
The crime has been in existence for so many years without any interference from the government’s side. And the reason behind this irresponsible act of the government is the fear of losing its votebanks which are mainly contributed by the khap panchayat as it acts as the opinion leader of a village.
For its own benefit, the government tried religiously to avoid the issue for so many years. However, the pressure from various NGOs, civic societies, victims’ families and other pressure groups force the government to take up stringent measures to curb honour killing. That’s the reason behind the conviction of five people who were involved in the brutal murder of Manoj and Babli in 2007 in the name of honour. As their gotra was same, they were declared brother and sister by the monstrous khap panchayat. This council has not only killed the two souls but has also been torturing their respective family members too.
“We have been ostracised by society for more than two years...but the authorities never approached us to listen to our grievances,” Chanderpati, Manoj’s mother.
Even though the justice has been done in Manoj and Babli case but still there are innumerable Manojs and Bablis whose justice have been denied and whose families have been silently suffering from the atrocities of the society for the sake of honour.
We need similar judgements and strict laws from the authorities to help prevent the growing menace of honour killing.
Obviously the judgement is a landmark in this particular case but the fact to ponder is what has the judiciary made of itself! Don't you think, th phrase better late than never should not be used for judiciary which is an independent body?
ReplyDeleteCases are pending in lakhs in Chandhigarh high court and a similar number in the Supreme court too. There are certain crimes and human rights violations which are apparent and should not take time. To convict 5 it took 3 years, then what about others who are hiding in the loopholes of law! As you are already aware that there are many such Khap Panchayats as well as many killings committed frequently, what about those?
Our social fabric is much more responsible. If the parents themselves succumb to these irrational and primitive(I would hesitate to call them even primitive!) justice system then who else cares! You are a part o the killing if you don't notify to the state.
And to me in these cases the state itself should lodge FIRs then to wait for the victims. I don't know how it took 3 years for a sessions court! And be sure that they will appeal to the High Court, then Supreme Court and will survive at least 6 more years. Parties will take political mileage of it and sessions court will be a matter of joke!
The whole system is so intricately connected that the theoretical 'checks and balances' works negtively. Judiciary is not independent for me in India!
I agree with your points , however, I appreciate the fact that at least a start has been made to prevent honour killing although it took three years to act.
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