भारत में ‘सम्मान हत्याएँ’ : एक विश्लेषणात्मक अध्ययन

Abstract

The paper deals with the phenomena of so called ‘Honor Killings’ in India which came to limelight during late nineties. It is prevalent in many modern societies and countries across the globe. High figures of these killings and the barbarity involved is shocking . What kind of honor it is where family members killing their near and dear ones mercilessly in the name of some ‘honor’, which itself is retrograde. The decease became so widespread and infectious that world organizations and community moved to act decisively and intervened in the unabated killings through UN general Assembly conferences on this topic and passing resolutions asking the governments to take stern measures to stop this menace. In India the phenomena of ‘honor killings’ has some cultural specific reasons and modus-operandi. In Indian society the cultural structures of caste and patriarchy is based on brahmanical ‘dharmashaastras’ as defined elaborately in the old text of ‘Manusmriti’ written during the 2nd century BC by the proponent of Hindu laws, Manu. Caste is responsible for stratification and inequality and brutalities in society for centuries. Even with the introduction of a democratic constitution and economical developments, the position of Dalits and women are areas of great concern. ‘Honor killings’ in India is closely associated with continuation of the caste hierarchy and patriarchy subjugating women and controlling its sexuality. Thousands of people are murdered in the name of saving the honor of the caste. Most of the killed are young boys and girls who try to break the chains of the society and try to transcend the limitations of caste and class to choose their partners. Recently, the traditional caste based village Panchayats have started playing big roles in perpetrating honor killings. This has attracted the attention of the judiciary, media and civil society to the cause and public opinion is channelizing to provide strict laws to combat this menace. Government is forced to declare its willingness to bring such legislation in near future. These measures will undoubtedly help in improving the conditions, but to eradicate these atrocities from society, it is imperative to weaken and abolish the cultural structures of caste system, patriarchy and subjugation of women.