Honour killings can't be justified

Issuing a strong warning against "honour killings", Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday said these killings could not be justified but said the government is ready to listen to the demands of khap panchayats (caste councils).
"Each one has got his own opinion. We recognise personal laws in this country. I can definitely look at it, if someone petitions me from the khaps. But that doesn't justify honour killings," Moily told CNN-IBN news channel.

The government will bring a new law on honour killings, he said.

"The bill is now with the home ministry. Five clauses will be added to Section 300 (of the Indian Penal Code). The Indian Evidence Act will be amended to shift burden of proof to the accused and we will amend the Special Marriage Act to take away the 30 days notice period to get married," Moily said.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------

No one has any right to take another’s life. Supporting “honour killing” is like supporting the action of Taliban. These are heinous acts and the perpetrators must be strongly punished to stop such killings. Unfortunately in India the punishment is not as strong as USA. Our judiciary still orders two thousand rupees fine for causing rioting, burning houses in the name of religion. It is the duty of the government to ensure the safety of any individual whose life is in peril from such Talibans in India.