Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

An honor killing is a dishonor to any society. An honor killing is the murder of a family or clan member by one or more fellow (mostly male) family members, in which the perpetrators believe the victim to have brought dishonor upon the family, clan, or community. The rising number of honor killings in India reflects the atrocities which humans face in society. This is absolutely inhuman treatment for any society. This is, in a way, not honor killing, but it is also a caste killing. Moreover, whose honor are they talking about? Killing your own sons and daughters in the name of honor is wrong. According to Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research (CSR), as told to IANS, “This is called Talibanisation, if you defy the so-called rules you are killed.” The National Capital has reported two honour killing cases within a week’s time. A nineteen-year-old girl and her boyfriend were tortured to death by the girl’s uncle and father in north Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar Area on June 14th, the same week a man and woman who were married four years ago, against the wishes of the girl’s parents, were found murdered in north Delhi’s Ashok Vihar amid speculation that it might been honor killing. Several honor killing cases were recently reported from Utter Pradesh and Haryana as well. The “Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat” (all community and Congregation) in Haryana is demanding amendment of the Hindu Marriage Act to ban same gotra (sub caste) marriages. These incidents are shocking and a big blot on any respectable society. The government should not accept the demand of Khap–Panchayat to amend the Hindu Marriage Act. “It should be on the individual (girl or boy) to decide about their partners,” said Kanti Singh, a senior program officer with Women Power Connect. Earlier it was only in Haryana but now such cases are taking place in Delhi, Rajasthan, U.P., Jharkhand, and Bihar too. There has been a spate of honor killing in the country which has led the government to decide what heinous crime it is. This paper will discuss the role of the Hindu Marriage Act. What is the definition of honor killing and what leads families to commit such heinous crimes, so that they can protect their family honor? The paper will also discuss some of the recent films made on honor killing. What way can we stop such an evil system in society?