The article “Of love and honour killings” (March 17) effectively argues that caste conflicts are the root of ‘honour’ killings, which even have the backing of political parties. But ‘honour’ killings are as much about patriarchy as they are about caste and religion. A closer look at past incidents will also reveal that it is always the girl’s family which takes such extreme steps when she marries a boy from a lower caste. We hardly come across instances of ‘honour’ killings where a boy from an upper marries a girl from a lower caste.
Raghavendra B. Kyadad,Bengaluru
That Dalit assertion continues to face violent backlashes from upper-caste Hindus shows that we have miles to go in ushering in an egalitarian society. ‘Honour’ killings stem from wrong notions about caste purity and pollution, and its perpetrators are a blot on a civilised society. Stringent legal measures to deal with ‘honour’ killings and eliminate the practice brooks no delay.
M. Jeyaram,Madurai
The murder shows the feudalistic mindset that prevails in one of the most developed States of the country. The right to choose a partner should be a citizen’s fundamental right. As the Supreme Court rightly pointed out, inter-caste and inter-religious marriages would definitely dilute casteism and communalism. How can parents kill their own children or the partners their children choose just to protect social prestige?
Mangesh Sonje,Titwala, Maharashtra
The Udumalpet incident is unfortunate and tragic. Political parties seem more worried about their vote banks, for no party has condemned the episode. They seem keen on linking it to a problem of law and order or to police inaction.
It is quite telling that the Chief Minister has not said anything about this.
N. Vijai,Coimbatore
