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Honour killing guillotines liberty: SC
What has happened?
Coming down heavily on crimes committed in the name of honour, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the choice of consenting adults to love and marry as a part of their fundamental rights
Issues guidelines
It issued a set of guidelines for authorities to safeguard young couples under threat for marrying outside their caste or religion
Condemnation of Khap Panchayats by SC
Elevated sense of honor among elders: It ridiculed the “elevated sense of honour” of elders, the collective and khap panchayats who rain horror on couples for choosing to marry outside their caste, clan or religion
Elders nothing but patriarchal monarchs: It termed the elders, presiding over murder in broad daylight, as “patriarchal monarchs” who believe they are the descendants of Caesar or Louis XIV.
Human rights are not to be mortgaged
The human rights of a daughter, brother, sister or son are not mortgaged to the so-called or so-understood honour of the family or clan or the collective
Consent of family not necessary
The court held that the consent of the family, community or clan is not necessary.
Background: The judgment came on a petition filed by NGO Shakti Vahini to curb honour crimes.
