Honour Killing: A heinous crime in the name of respect...

Till a few decades back, social evils like Sati, child marriage & dowry deaths were eating the foundation of Indian society like a termite. In new age India, a barbaric and atrocious form of crime called HONOUR KILLING is on the rise. Shamefully most of these killings are caste based, that makes it more than a crime, the worst form of social evil. It actually brings us to the conclusion that it may take several decades before India as a nation, as a society can become truly and practically progressive.

The recent case of murder of Delhi based journalist Nirupama Pathak by her own mother for falling in love with a boy from a lower caste is just one of the examples. If you flip across the newspapers of past few years, one might find it a regular activity especially in the northern states of UP, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab. Shockingly most of these killings are "socially" approved by the local authorities; therefore, there might be so many cases that just go unregistered as there is no one to file a complaint against the perpetrators. It is a harsh truth that the stigma of caste and creed still sticks to the Indian mindset; the caste hierarchy still dominates the very structure of our society. Moreover, it’s doubtful whether any form of education or awareness will help us to rise above such social issues. But the question is that, are these killings really for the honour or the ego, whether these are in the name of religion or in the name of just a community which is trying to prove its social dominance. No form of honour or religion teaches you to ruthlessly kill your very own children or propagate violence and murder of innocent people. It’s a matter of shame that in the world's largest democracy, a rightful and legal citizen of the country is still devoid of the privilege to exercise his/her fundamental rights.

The problem is grim and the statistics show it’s increasing by the day. So where and what exactly the solution is. Is it education, awareness, stringent laws, active policing, or innovative policies to support the vulnerable? Education, I really doubt will be able to do the needful, no sermons in the text of school and college books could teach us to stand against social evils. There has to be very different form of education, there is a need for “social” education which can be better imparted through advertisements, TV shows & films, street plays and most importantly bringing forth live examples. All these form of media have a big impact on the psyche of viewers especially those from lower and middle class. There needs to be laws specific to honour killings, and not to mention these laws need to be stringent, with fast court trials so that the perpetrators have something to stop them before they attempt such a heinous crime. There needs to be special organizations or "active" organizations and NGOs that can provide special support to those who fear such consequences for their decision, from their communities. Even with all such measures it will take time to remove this terrorized and inhumane crime labeled as the need of the society by some psychic people. We as the youth of the nation can join hands to introduce those living in the 19th century to the new India. The India that knows of only two kinds of people, the good and the bad. No caste no race no color no community.

Think about it till I login again...