Campaign for Legislation against Killings and Crimes in the name of Honour

SRED along with Tamilnadu Dalit Women’s movement organized consultations on “Honour Killing” a crime which is carried out against couples who marry, fall in love outside their caste. The recommendations were brought out as a small booklet.

The movement has been advocating for a Specific legislation against honour killing. The advocacy document highlights the following to be included in the legislation: the punishment for the crime, the role of state in safeguarding the survivors, counselling, rehabilitation, safety, short stay facility ,legal support and livelihood for the survivors, the need for official authentic data on honour killing and honour crimes, role of local governance structures and women’s Rights and Human Rights organizations in the intervention, the need for campaign against caste discrimination and women’ rights are emphasized.

The booklet was released by Mr. Nalla Kannu, Senior leader of Communist Party of India and received by Mr. Mallai Sathya, Joint General Secretary of MDMK. Prof. Saraswathi from Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, Prof. Aranga Mallika, Dr. Burnad Fatima, Ms. Geetha Narayanan and Mr. Joseph Raj from Tamilnadu Dalit women’s Movement addressed the gathering.

The booklet has been distributed to members of legislature from various parties to raise the issue in legislative assembly to bring in a specific legislation ‘ Prevention of Crimes and killing  in the name of Honour and Tradition in Tamilnadu”.

SRED believes in promoting choices of people, specifically choices of women in their relationships and follows Dr. Ambedkar’s quote of promoting exogamous marriages would challenge the caste system. The pledge of the movement is to put an end to honour killing.