New Delhi, April 1 (Inditop.com) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday called for a law to curb honour killings.
‘All democratic forces should demand a separate law against honour killings and to illegalise those activities of ‘khap panchayats’ which go against the constitution,’ the party said in a statement.
‘Firm and deterrent action must be taken against the offenders whenever such incidents occur. It is the responsibility of political parties to stand up for the right of young women and men to marry according to their choice,’ it added.
The statement follows the judgment this week by a court in Karnal in Haryana sentencing five men to death for killing a young couple in 2007 after their marriage was declared void by the caste-based ‘khap panchayat’ or traditional caste council.
‘This singular judicial action should hopefully spur the Haryana government and administration to take firm measures to prevent such illegal and murderous acts against young couples who transgress so-called social and caste conventions,’ the CPI-M said.
‘Honour killings are not confined to Haryana alone. It is a widespread practice in western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and in varying degrees in other parts of the country.’
