Honour killing; a blot on the society

    The thought of honour and shame and their use as justification for violence and killing is not unique to any one culture or religion. Indeed, honour and honour-based violence are reflected in every society primarily rural societies. Honour killings have been known since ancient times, where senior male within a household, retained the right to kill an unmarried but sexually active daughter or an adulterous wife. Honour killing in India has its origin since ancient ages where people committed homicide of their female family member and portray such murders as an act done to protect the honour of the family. Honour killings has emerged mostly as gender based crime and has been used as a tool to retain patriarchal dominance in the society over women folk. But, this does not mean that the man has been left completely untouched by this evil. There are also incidents of killing of men folk mostly of the down trodden segment of the society who are involved with the girls of the influential families and of upper castes. A typical trend in honour killings has been observed and that is killing of the girl in each single case. If boy belongs to lower caste, then both boy and girl are culled to kill. But if the boy of higher caste no girl of lower caste, there are chances of boy escaping the wrath of social lords.  Normally, it is noticed that daughters, daughter-in-laws, wives, etc. are killed mostly for reasons like talking to another man, involving in adulterous relationships, pre-marital affairs, marrying on their own will, etc.

    The chief reasons behind honour killings are patriarchy, dominant caste system and caste endogamy. The other reasons noticed in the society for honour killing are highly stratified social order, mental outlook, khap panchayats, skewed sex ratio, inter caste marriages, absence of socio-political movements, lack of intent of government and government institutions and non consideration of present day socio-economic development which provided an opportunity for mingling of people of either sex at work places, educational institutions and new urban dwellings. The roots of honour killing lies in the view that honour of man are linked with his woman and can be hampered because of her conduct. It is because of this notion that they started putting restrictions on woman. Woman and her sexuality became the property of man. Later, this idea was associated with caste system or clan or gotra and thus gave rise to defiance to inter-caste marriage or to marriages done within same gotra. Most of the owner killing cases are associated with marriages. Any change in conduct of society is seen as bringing down the honour of family, tribe or community and only way that seem possible to people to regain such honour is sacrifice of the member of their own family in the name of honour killing.

    The social order is highly imperious and advocates for alien treatment with the other castes and segments particularly for the matrimony predominantly in rural areas but the neo-urbanisation is not free from this malaise and infectious leanings of caste and gotras. Almost all marriages whether arranged or so called self choice are solemnised within caste. Egalitarian segments of the society although has broken this myth but here too barrier of economic consideration is profoundly existing. Meaning thereby economic status acts as a newly constructed caste. 

    Since new economic activities necessitated the compulsion of essential interaction in the new social milieu of the men-women, boys-girls at work place or institutions or residential dwellings. More people are now coming out of their homes including women and girls of all sections of the society to work or for some other activities and this new advent has provided opportunities to mingle with each other freely in the cross section of human oriented  activities. Popularity of social media and its vehement use as a tool of communication and entertainment has bridged the gap significantly and brought the people more closer in the faceless mould. It is apparent that social interactions give rise to the newer possibilities of the man-woman contacts and development of relationships. Amongst this large section, a few couple decide to enter in the matrimonial bond which is quite natural which is not acceptable to the patriarchal and feudal mindset of the society. They are pursuance  either to break the relationship or ready to be sacrificed their lives. This social outlook bred the eloping from home and seek the protection from courts and police. Some couple get success in getting the protection but most fell to the prey of the self proclaimed social leaders or khaps or the parents in the garb of protecting family honour and mercilessly killed. Despite socio-economic growth, the feudal mindset has not changed. Every now and then news of such extra-judicial killings are becoming headlines of the newspapers. Interestingly,  High Courts have fixed benches and days for such protection cases but until social change in terms of accepting such marriage is not happens, courts alone can’t break much ice. 

    Numerous girls have been killed in the name of honour of family or caste over the years in Haryana and other northern states but the demon of  honour killings is still not satiated. It raises its hood when sense such dissemination of love in two consenting hearts. Recently, lives of three youths in Kaithal and Karnal in the name of honour have been snatched. Haryana is infamous for such gory killings and this monster has raised its sting once again and taken away the three precious young lives. As discussed above, the genesis of this criminal mindset rest in the highly intolerance, irrational social behaviour and eulogised thought of family honour. These two incidents in a single day are indicative of how our social system is regressive and feudalistic which permits the parents to  turn monster for their own children and not hesitate to take away their lives. The reasons behind such atrocious thinking are absence of social discourse, no freedom to an individual to choose the mate or life partner and no fear of law. These two incidents depict the true mindset of society. The problem of barbaric thought is more societal than legal and needs to be addressed primarily at the level of society; besides taking stringent panel action against the criminals. Its high time for the social organisations and the government to curb this criminal mindset emphatically. But, there is no significant voice against the honour killings in the society. Will the Alambardar of the society or political leaders of all hues think over it? Will this medieval mindset change or take away more lives of the girls or couple who innocently involve in the love as the most sane feeling of a human?

Honour killing- a regressive medieval mindset of Haryanvi society!

Dictionary meaning of the honour killing is a murder committed by a male on a female relative considered to have brought dishonour to the family, usually through sexual activity forbidden by religion or tradition. The deliberate pre‐planned murder, usually of a woman, by or at the behest of members of her family motivated by a perception that she has brought shame on the family. The female in the Indian rural society particularly is considered as a thing or asset who is owned by his family,, not a living being. Although mindset is not far changed in urban areas also as most of the towns and cities now expanded on the selective migration of rural people because of jobs, business, educational access or of numerous such reasons. Interestingly, the people moved in cities chosen to live in clusters where the traditional thoughts are prevalent as that of villages. The shifting in the cities only changed the living pattern as facilities of various kind is easily accessible. Even the so called educated people adorning high positions in government or private sector, universities and colleges, trade or business and have tremendous influence on society and have discrete political affiliations, are the socio-political influencers who have great say in the area they reside. Abstractly, it may be said that situation is not much different in urban and rural areas if it is concerned with the honour of family or the society.

Honour killing is a centuries old malaise which is generally termed as custom or tradition is still prevalent in our societies. In several northern Indian states, such as Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, the western region of Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, the incidents of honour killing are periodically reported. Religion, caste, community, and traditional attitudes are the most essential factors in an honour killing. Honour killing largely involves girls or women marrying against the parent's wishes, having extramarital, premarital relationships whether consensual or non-consensual, marrying inside the same gotra or outside one's position or marrying a cousin from an alternate position. Honour killing has emerged as a gender based crime, chiefly. Haryana is comparatively a small state in the close vicinity of national capital which is an axis of national politics and seat of central government. Haryana boasts of leap in agriculture and industrial growth and central to all the movements being near to Delhi. Unfortunately, Haryana is poor in social indicators particularly affecting the fair sex. When its growth is mapped on the richness of social development, it looks like a tribal society. The national fame comic poet Jaimini Haryanvi finds glorification in his recite that “Haryana is a land where lovers found hanged on the tree”. A typical pattern has been witnessed in the honour killings in Haryana that if girl is of higher caste and boy from lower caste, both are killed. If boy is from higher caste and girl is from lower caste, generally girl is killed. If both boy and girl have lineage in upper caste, there is possibility of compromise. It clearly indicates that societal norms for women and lower castes or dalits are quite different. Those who participate in honour killing often justify their act by stating that their action will provide deterrence to others and will prevent them from committing such an act which will bring disgrace to their family and society. From the past, the price to protect the honour of the family was always paid by woman folk, who were seen as weak and dependent, are shouldered with the responsibility to maintain purity and honour of the family.

The concept of caste system and endogamy are the major determinant of mate selection. The mindset of the people whether in rural areas or people shifted from villages to urban centers, their thoughts govern by caste. Generally no marriage alliance is permissible outside the caste. This is the major root cause of the honor killing. Because of access to education in schools, colleges or institutions or jobs has necessitated the living of youths outside in the hostels, PGs or other rented accommodations and this dimension has allowed them to freely interact and mingle despite the consideration of castes or religion. Living together and continuous interactions led the youths in developing friendship, relationships, love interests as natural vent of mutual feelings and emotions. The changed situations demands for the change of outlook and mindset but unfortunately that's not existing in the society. Parents, guardians, community leaders and khaps are the deterrent to the budding relationships mutually by consent amongst the youths. The caste system and endogamy prevalent in the society prove as an abhorrent factor and compel the youths either to finish the relations or ready to be died. Khap Panchayat over decade has created their villainous image and has turned into an institution which won’t hesitate to go to any extent in order to satisfy their ego. However, with the passage of time there has been considerate change in the thoughts and rituals of Khap Panchayat and might be seen in near future as an institution which will oppose honour killings rather than promote it.  

The news of killing three youths in Kaithal and Karnal in the name of honour was appeared in the newspapers on 17th September, 2023. The news is highly disturbing. In earlier years several such killing have been reported from different parts of the state. To name a few, such as Manoj-Babli (2010) in a village of Kaithal, Monica-Rinku of Neemriwali (2010), Murti Devi of Kansala (Rohtak) in 2014, Sarita Devi of Naraunkhera village of Gohana, Sonepat in 2014, Ravinder and his wife of Dhrana in Jhajhjhar who were killed by their parents and relatives on the concealed dictate of Khap panchayats.

Marriage of Satish of Kheri Maham and Kavita of Bhagi-Bahrod was annulled by such so called khap panchayat and the couple was ordered to be brother-sister despite having a child out of this wedlock. Similarity,  in village Siwaha of Panipat district, lower caste couple was dictated to dissolve their solemnized marriage or face the consequence. These are a few cases only which have been quoted. In fact there are numerous incidents of honor killing are happening in Haryana over the years. National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) reported 25 cases in its report of 2020 of honor killing. Because most cases are classified as suicides or accidental deaths or registered under different sections of the IPC, the correct record of honour killing cases is not maintained. The genesis of this criminal mindset rest in the highly intolerance, irrational social behavior and eulogized thoughts of family honour. These incidents are indicative of how our social system is regressive and feudalistic which permits the parents to turn monster for their own children and not hesitate to take away their lives. The reasons behind such atrocious thinking are absence of social discourse, no freedom to an individual to choose the life partner and no fear of law.

Courts has dealt these cases sternly and awarded exemplary punishments for honour killing. The decisions of the courts are not proving deterrent for the perpetrators of honour killings. The rigid caste system and imperious religious boundaries, traditional mindset, pseudo social values, no discourse on the social values and evils, no voice of female in mate selection, patronage of khap panchayats and social and political leaders which are responsible for this regressive medieval thinking are not questioned. Fact is that there is practically no social movement or social churning in the society which oppose this brutal tendency of killers which relegates the humans at the lower pedestal than the animals. The Haryanvi society is in the state of inertia which is silent on the social issues and the leaders both of khaps and political parties are involved in seeking the dividends of political power. The problem of barbaric thought is more societal than legal and needs to be addressed primarily at the level of society; besides taking stringent panel action against the criminals.

It is the stark reality that new social-economic, educational dimensions have opened the gates for more vigorous cross social contacts at the places of education or work places or mixed habitats in urban areas. Interactions and unbridled mingling of the young boys and girls, man and women across the castes and religion is unstoppable. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, snapchat, telegram, Instagram and numerous other have provided the potent weapon in the hands of the people particularly young generation for unabated, unceasing and round the clock contact and interactions. If interactions unfathomed and unrestricted and; which cannot be contained and bounded in today's scenario, relationships, love interests and marriages bound to happen naturally. No force can change the rule of nature. The pace of inter-caste or inter-religious or intra-locality marriage can be slowed down for sometime but never can be stopped. The so called slogan of ‘love-jihad’ or anything else will prove futile but surely take away some precious lives. The long queues of boys and girls in the district courts and High Courts for protection and marriage is the vivid example of the changing ground situations and more youngster are involving in the inter-faith and inter-caste relationships. Is this new blowing of the wind in the society not worth consideration for the society as a whole, social and political organizations to think and churn and erase the obsolete ideas and ideals from the society for the emotional bonding of their young generation by virtue of their choice?

 

Falling obsolete modes and norms; new lease of life for young people

Haryana is a tiny state situated in the proximity of national capital. Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand are on it's east, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab is on it's north side whereas Rajasthan is situated in western side. Predominantly it is a rural society with huge population living in the villages. Although city centers, education, advent of new technology and scientific development has influenced the economy of the state and living style as well. Agriculture, the chief vocation of rural Haryanvi society and it has undergone tremendous change in the last five decades. Agriculture is now more scientific and more productive compared to days when Haryana was carved out from Punjab in 1966. Good income and new opportunities available changed the scenario of rural Haryana in many ways. Land tenure system has changed significantly and relation between communities as well. Increasing population has drastically shortened the land share and ownership per family. But on the same time new avenues developed in terms of job opportunities created in both public and private sector and this is largely because of spread and availability of education in villages and nearby city centers. And it couldn't be restricted to males but more females found chance to go to school and later on to colleges and universities. Although Haryanvi society remained predominantly rigid and introvert. Rural society is generally governed by norms, mode and dictum of their males. In short it is a patriarchal society where women are relegated to second fiddle abysmally and they have very little to their side if it comes to   decision making. Although elected Gram Panchayats are technically govern the villages since 1952 and 73rd amendment to constitution has improved the status, functions and working of village Panchayts. Now 1/3rd offices are reserved for women. 

Historically Haryana is a part of that land mass that has witnessed great wars and battles in its planes. The oldest civilization is said to be existed in this state. Rural society has been in influence and govern of "Khaps" since time immemorial. These Khaps have been a source and seat of delivering justice to common man. These were the informal organisation to guide and guarantee the implementation of social norms, modes and manage the variegated social contradictions. Centuries after centuries passed and these Khaps have discharged their duties and responsibilities holding the dictum of justice and it's deliverance. Unfortunately with the change of time,it was expected that these (Khaps)) will adorn the new role in the changed circumstances but  these couldn't   change themselves to demands of new urgency and requirements of the society. Once the torch bearer of equity and justness slipped into the informal organisation of crudity and cruelty where every change is opposed tooth and nail on the name of saving social values and brotherhood. Over the time these Nobel organisations attained the symbol and recognizance of brutality, intolerance and unjust. These organisations are now headed by the skewed minded so called lords. They have no respect for new changes, new values, new exigencies created by newer model of development and education although enjoys all the fruits of such happenings. Women and down trodden people are the easiest prey of the decisions of these conglomeration of hood looms (in modern context). 

Haryana is a state which is governed by such Khaps for centuries if social set up is considered. Almost all castes have their own Khaps to rule their societies. And interestingly all behave in similar way. Women are at the receiving end and young women and newly wed couples who dares to defy the so called norms created by them. In recent times, such Khaps have been in news for all wrong reasons. "Honor killings" of young couples who tie the nuptial knots against the crude rules of society. The mate choice is mercilessly restricted among st the clans, castes, sub-castes, village, group of villages aka Khap segments. Many a couples have to sacrifice their lives on the altar of their love. And such happenings haunts the young minds and they have to curb their natural affinity for someone who rules their heart. In the hind sight the role, dictate and fear of Khap is prominent. For last few years, a continuous demand is churning the round in the society to relook the thought process and actions of Khaps. "The Satrol Khap" that is a conglomeration of  four "Tapas" (sub segment)  namely Narnaund, Petwad, Baas and  Ugalan of 42 villages around Narnaund area of Hisar district has dared to challenge the tradition and rigid norms established to govern the marriages wherein families couldn't select mate for their wards within the range of 42 villages instead Gotra (sub caste) of mother, grand mother and other Gotra of the village and this situation has make the situation very grim and hopeless for mate selection resultant people have to look for brides in far flung areas and this has created an unpleasant and awkward situation. Inhabitants of the area particularly of young people have been asking to change this unreasonable and unpractical situation. It is necessary to mention here that this area is the place where once the oldest human civilization "Mohanjodaro" believed to be existed. Archaeological excavation at Rakhi Khas and Rakhi Garhi proves this notion. Perhaps the area of the oldest civilization at forefront to re-establish the humane and rationale values. The deliberations and discussion on this vital issue brought fruit in the third week of April,2014 when Khap leaders decided to dissolve this 700 years old tradition where matrimonial alliance were forbidden in 42 villages of 4 Tapas of Satrol Khap. It is not a small decision but a historical leap under the modern exigencies, needs, requirements of the society. Families of the area were abysmally cornered to find a suitable match for their kids. On the face it looks simple decision but if analysed deeply it'll emanates the bounding desire to free the society and human minds from the shackles of age old retrogressive tradition and create an environment that would bind the society with the new sentiments of freedom and liberty. Although some voice of dissent is being heard from a section of Khap but it seems it'll die it's own death as progressive thought always  prevails. And it's success is guaranteed because this decision has given new lease of life to young lads of the area and their vocal and reasonable support will make the new dawn a reality. Two families of the village Rajthal and Madan Heri decided to break this age old tradition that now has become obsolete by arranging and accepting the marriage alliance within the Satrol Khap. The pioneering step of these two families is   worth appreciation and will definitely pave the way of for making more rationale and just society that will be free from unnecessary bondage. Time is watching the new development with all curiosity and in coming days some other obsolete norms and modes will fall flat against rational and reason. New breeze is now blowing in the area where once oldest civilization flourished and surely engross whole of Haryana soon. The process of positive change that has been set in couldn't be reversed.  

Khap: A body of organisation of cluster of villages.
Satrol Khap: An organisation of 42 villages of Narnaund area.
Tapa: A sub segment or constituent of Khap.
Mohanjodaro: Oldest civilization of world.
Gotra: Sub Caste