Will Government oblige to the feminists?
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Amendments will not do, stand-alone law needed to curb
‘honour' crimes: AIDWA
Aarti Dhar
The All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) has presented
to Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily a comprehensive draft law that seeks to make private
parties culpable for violation of fundamental rights in crimes and killings committed
in the name of “honour.”
All kinds of harassment, and curbing of choice, association, and
movement would come within the ambit of this law.
Apart from defining crimes in the name of “honour,” the draft makes
eulogising or glorification of these offences and killings punishable. The onus
of proof is on the accused. The law seeks to protect young couples who declare their
intention to marry before a government officer, and also suggests measures to stop
self-proclaimed panchayats and other community bodies from issuing diktats.
Led by Brinda Karat, MP, a delegation, which met the Minister on
Tuesday, pointed out that the amendments proposed to the existing laws did not sufficiently
address all crimes of violence perpetrated in the name of “honour,” and highlighted
the need for a separate, stand-alone law. The proposed amendments made an entire
community punishable for a crime committed by some, the delegation pointed out and
suggested that the law penalise only those community members present at the spot
where illegal action was taken.
Mr. Moily assured the AIDWA that he would take up the important
issues it raised with the Group of Ministers formed to look at legislative changes
to address “honour” killings, said general secretary Sudha Sundararaman.
A memorandum was handed over to the Minister, pointing out the extremely
limited rights available to women who had separated or were divorced, and their
misery and sufferings due to financial constraints.
The delegation emphasised that the Bill to make irretrievable breakdown
of marriage a ground for divorce would act against the majority of women in the
existing economic and social reality of unequal status.
Adequate financial safeguards must be mandated for women before
this Bill was passed, said the delegation, which included AIDWA legal convener Kirti
Singh, national assistant secretary Ashalata and member Asha Sharma .
It appealed for supportive legislation to provide financial security
to women by bringing in a law on matrimonial property rights immediately.
source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article552009.ece