Let Divine Laws Stop Honour Killings

The spate of honour killings has brought disrepute to the civilized society we claim to live in. Such killings are rampant in western parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Khap panchayats that have been issuing edicts to effect such killings have demanded to amend the Hindu Marriage Act for banning marriage in the same gotra or sub-caste. But the issue has evoked sharp reactions from those in judiciary and executive. National Human Rights Commission Chairman and former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan said none should be allowed to enforce ‘self-created’ laws. And the Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily has announced the government’s plan to end the 30-day notice required for people to marry in courts.

But the question is where lies the crux of the problem. And, whether the Moily prescription is going to solve it.

As the issue appears to be in its face value, the 30-day notice serves as a deterrent, at least to some extent, for the aspiring young boy and girl to rethink before going ahead. Once you reduce this 30-day notice to zero, more and more young boys and girls will come forward to marry in courts – much to the annoyance of khap panchayats. It will add fuel to the fire and in no way contribute to solution of the problem.

There is no doubt that killing of an innocent person for whatsoever reason is brutal, inhuman and thus worth condemning. And it must be stopped. The Quran, the only book revealed by the Lord Creator now available to man in its original form, deems such a killing as the killing of the entire humanity. So we have to pay utmost respect to human life, and that too the life of our own children. But for this we will have to search for the solution, effective and comprehensive, coolly and wisely.

Islam solves such social problems in the best possible manner as its teachings are best suited to human nature. It shuts the doors of pre-marital relations as it prohibits free mixing of young boys and girls. Once this prohibition is implemented in society in letter and spirit, young boys and girls will concentrate on their studies and will be married in the socially acknowledged manner. And the society will be able to experience peace and progress.

To solve this knotty problem, social and voluntary organisations should come to the fore to launch campaigns for social awakening. They should awaken the society to say no to co-education and free mixing of sexes in educational institutions, offices and markets. Parents should also groom their children on morally healthy grounds with a close look at their interest, likes and dislikes, outings and sittings on the computer screen.

This solution is in the light of the teachings of the Creator. And who can solve our problems better than Him? Let’s say a big NO to man-made laws and take shelter in Divine laws.