ISSN: 0973-5089 | [email protected]

Patriarchal Ideology of Honour and Honour Crimes in India

Jyothi Vishwanath

University of Bangalore, Bengaluru, India

Srinivas C. Palakonda

K. L. E. Society's Law College, Bengaluru, India

Abstract:

Honour crimes cut across racial, religious, cultural and regional divides. The horrific and horrendous waves of massacring, young and innocent women daring to choose their life-partners much against the accepted social mores by the allegedly supreme caste and religious groups; the culture of regulating and controlling their conduct and life and amputating, shattering the personalities marching against the accepted social and patriarchal traditions in the guise of protecting the family, caste, clan or tribe 'Honour' is rapidly engulfing the entire ocean of mankind. Amidst this scenario, it becomes inevitable to examine the status of woman in India with special reference to the patriarchal ideology of honour residing in her; social perception of the cross marriages and honour crimes in the Indian subcontinent and the role of Khap panchayats in terrorizing the Indian social scene. The paper also chalks out the role desired from the law makers, enforcement agencies and the community members for checking the cruel culture of victimizing the female population for protecting and restoring the assumed notions of honour.

Keyword:

Inter Caste; Gotra; Endogamy; Exogamy; Khaps; Honour Killings