BJP, community groups slam govt over honour killing bill

Bengaluru: The Congress govt's proposal to introduce a bill to curb crimes related to inter-caste marriages, including honour killings and atrocities, has run into rough weather with BJP and community groups terming the law discriminatory.Taking note of rising cases of honour killing, the department of law and parliamentary affairs has prepared Karnataka Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026. The bill, whose proposed penalties include life imprisonment and death, is expected to be tabled in the budget session in March.
The key objection is that the bill targets inter-caste marriages and excludes inter-religion marriages.The govt move on the bill follows the killing of 19-year-old Manya Patil, who was six months pregnant, in Dharwad in December. Her Lingayat family allegedly opposed her marriage to a Scheduled Caste boy. Her father and family members were arrested in connection with the case."Caste-based discrimination is continuing to manifest in brutal forms of violence, including honour killings, particularly against young adults who exercise their constitutional right to choose life partners through inter-caste marriage. It becomes the govt's duty to ensure freedom of choice in marriage and caste-based crimes," said law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil, explaining how the bill came into being.Former BJP minister S Suresh Kumar alleged the bill targets only the Hindu community in the guise of inter-caste marriages and said the party would oppose the bill.Community organisations representing upper castes, including Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas, have expressed reservations about the bill. "While the bill title is derived from Basavanna's vachana with emphasis on inclusivity, the bill promotes exclusivity. We'll plan our next step depending on the govt's move," said HM Renuka Prasanna, national secretary of Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha.Mahasabha is headed by Eshwar Khandre, a Congress minister. "The bill has not yet come to the cabinet. We'll study and ensure no community is discriminated against," said Khandre.Experts questioned the need for a new bill, arguing existing laws already cover honour killings and related crimes. "The bill's many penal provisions appear superfluous and unnecessary. Murder has always been punishable in India and today's law prescribes life imprisonment and even death for murder," said Supreme Court advocate and Constitution expert KV Dhananjay.GFXBILL PROPOSES LIFE TERM, DEATH* Bill protects constitutional freedom to marry a person of one's choice, irrespective of caste* Killing in the name of "honour" punishable with minimum five years' imprisonment, extendable to life imprisonment or death penalty* Causing grievous hurt punishable with three years' imprisonment and fine up to Rs 3 lakh* Physical relationship with an adult woman on promise of marriage, later withdrawn upon knowing her caste, to be treated as rape* Prohibits family members, relatives, or others from gathering to obstruct a marriage* Unlawful assembly to obstruct marriage punishable with three to five years' imprisonment and fine up to Rs 2 lakh* Couples can declare age and consent before district magistrate and seek court injunction against family interference* District forums to be set up with a retired judge, police officer, revenue officer and sub-registrar to facilitate marriages and provide counselling* District committee to oversee implementation and provide rehabilitation to victims* Fast-track courts for trial of cases under the lawBASAVANNA'S INCLUSIVITY: Bill title is inspired by saint-poet Basavanna's vachana ‘Ivanaarava Ivanaarava Endenisadirayya, Iva Nammava Iva Nammava Endenisayya…' (don't make people ask whom I belong to, make them say I belong to them…)