Honor Killings in India: Cultural Practices vs. Legal Provisions

Abstract

Honour killings in India represent a grave human rights violation rooted in entrenched cultural norms, patriarchal values, and caste-based hierarchies. They occur when individuals—often women—are murdered by family or community members for actions perceived to have brought shame, such as inter-caste or inter-religious marriages, defiance of arranged marriages, or exercising personal autonomy. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and personal liberty, and specific legal provisions under the Indian Penal Code addressing murder, conspiracy, and unlawful assembly, enforcement remains inconsistent due to societal complicity, political pressures, and gaps in protection mechanisms. This paper critically examines the tension between these deep-seated cultural practices and India’s legal framework, exploring how customary norms challenge statutory law. It analyzes landmark judicial interventions, legislative reforms, and the role of civil society in addressing the menace. The study underscores the need for comprehensive legal action coupled with socio-cultural transformation to eradicate honour-based violence.