The Gujarat authorities just lately proposed that {couples} who wish to register their marriage must submit id paperwork of their mother and father and declare that they’ve been stored knowledgeable. In distinction, the simply-concluded Budget session of the Karnataka Legislature saw the passage of the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava) Bill, 2026, which offers authorized safety for {couples} in inter-caste relationships who face threats, violence or coercion from anybody, together with their very own relations.
The Bill pointedly states that “the consent of the person’s parents, family, caste or clan is not necessary once the two adult individuals agree to enter into a marriage.”
The debate in regards to the want for a selected regulation to curb “honour”-related violence had gained traction in Karnataka following the ugly killing of a pregnant 20-yr-previous by her father for marrying a Dalit man within the Inam Veerapur village in Hubballi taluk in north Karnataka in December, 2025. According to statistics supplied by Home Minister G. Parameshwara to the House, Karnataka has witnessed 15 hate crimes in opposition to {couples} over the previous 5 years.
An extended struggle
The phrase “Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava” within the title of the Bill harks again to a vachana of twelfth-century thinker-reformer Basavanna that roughly interprets as “Do not ask ‘who is he, who is he, who is he?’/ Say ‘he is ours, he is ours, he is ours’.” It incorporates a message of inclusivity from a reformer whose determination to facilitate a wedding between a Dalit man and a Brahmin lady led to intense social turmoil and violence.
The Bill notes “an alarming increase in violence, harassment, threats, and social ostracism — often perpetrated in the name of caste hierarchy, honour, custom — being directed against individuals, especially young couples, who exercise their right to marry.” It notes that such crimes disproportionately impacts ladies, who’re subjected to patriarchal management over their selections, and males from marginalised communities.
The acknowledged purpose of the Bill just isn’t solely “to affirm and protect the liberty, dignity, and autonomy of all persons, to prevent crimes committed in the name of “honour” and custom”, but in addition “to provide legal safeguards, remedies, and institutional mechanisms for prevention, redressal, and rehabilitation.”
The Bill proposes penalties, together with a minimal 5-yr jail sentence for killings within the identify of “honour”, whereas criminalising social boycotts linked to such circumstances. It offers for institutional assist for {couples}, together with police safety inside six hours of receiving a criticism, institution of state-funded protected homes in each district, and entry to authorized assist and help from non-governmental organisations.
It proposes making a particular cell for the prevention of crimes within the identify of “honour” with a 24-hour helpline, Eva Nammava Vedike, in all districts to facilitate solemnisation of marriages, present counselling companies and so forth.
Lingering ambiguities
The particular provisions envisaged for the safety of {couples} in inter-caste relationships going through ostracisation or violence are undoubtedly welcome. But the query of how successfully they are going to be applied stays, contemplating that crimes in opposition to such {couples} have continued regardless of present legal guidelines. This query is much more pertinent when the spirit of the instances appears extra inclined to caste consolidation than annihilation — evident not simply in the best way we select or are allowed to decide on our life companions, but in addition in the best way candidates are picked by political events and chosen to be in energy by the voters.
Interestingly, whereas the brand new Bill to assist inter-caste {couples} has been handed, Karnataka is but to, regardless of Cabinet approval, roll again the controversial Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 (anti-conversion Act) ushered in by the earlier Bharatiya Janata Party authorities. While this regulation with stringent provisions offers with a gamut of points associated to conversion, circumstances throughout India illustrate the way it comes into sharp focus within the case of interfaith marriages (dubbed ‘love jihad’).
Surely, consenting adults in interfaith relationships going through hostility and violence additionally deserve assist.
Published – March 31, 2026 02:01 am IST
