‘Provide safety to couples facing threat’
Context:
- The Centre suggested that couples facing a threat to their lives from relatives or community Panchayats like khap should have a provision to inform the officer who is registering their marriage.
Why is it in news?
- The Centre acknowledged that ‘honour killing’ is neither separately defined nor classified as an offence under the prevailing laws but it is treated as murder.
- Thus, by the above mentioned provision, the official can intimate the police to provide them with protection from ‘honour killing’.
Way ahead:
- State governments should include a declaration by the couple who intend to have a court marriage if they apprehend a threat to their life and liberty.
- The proposed law against honour killing, the Prohibition of Interference with Freedom of Matrimonial Alliance Bill, is still under circulation among the States.
