The Freethought Party of India (FPI) welcomed a judgment by the Supreme Court delivered on March 27 in a writ petition filed by Shakti Vahini, a pro-feminist NGO, against honour killing.
Party general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire said while coming down heavily on “crimes” committed in the name of “honour” by parents and Khaps, the court has upheld the choice of consenting adults to love and marry and the same is a part of their fundamental rights.
Voltaire said the Supreme Court has been very blunt in stating that no Khap Panchayat can stand in the way of lovers having their love affairs and their love marriage as the same has been guaranteed to them under Article19 and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
It is all the more satisfying that the Supreme Court has issued a bunch of guidelines to State Governments and district authorities like Collectors and Superintendents of Police to provide safe houses for couples facing Khap Panchayat’s wrath.
The guideline of the Supreme Court will go a long way in providing security to runaway lovers and runaway couples, he added.