Protest against honour crimes on Saturday 15 May at 5 pm in Central Market, Lajpat Nagar

From: Saheli Women <saheliwomen@gmail.com>

 

“Babli and Manoj Killed”….. “Nirupama killed”…… “khap panchyat diktat out against couple”...“couple seek police protection”…. 

 

We have to say NO to these crimes justified in the name of 'honour'!

We have to assert our right to choose our own partners irrespective of caste, class, religion, ethnicity or gender!

 

On a daily basis one hears these kind of news about killings in the name of 'honour' and diktats against couples whose crime seems to be to love a person of another caste or the same village. On the one hand we have the Khap Panchayats who are exercising power and control through various diktats and valorising the murder of young couples and on the other there are family members who are party to killing their own daughters or pushing them to suicide to protect so called family honour. These incidents have spread in an aggressive way and are becoming more widespread not only in rural areas but in big cities and among people of all classes and castes.

 

The silence of the Government against the diktats of the Khap Panchayats, which deny fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian Constitution, indicates the reluctance of the state machinery to uphold the rights of young men and women. We are also shocked by the active support to the Khaps given often by State governments, political leaders, the local judiciary and police. We have already got endorsements from about 200 groups/individuals for letters to Chief Ministers of Haryana, Delhi, UP and Rajasthan demanding action against khap leaders and instituting inquiry into incidents of 'honour killings'.

 

We invite you to a protest to condemn these killings and to ask the Government to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens as laid down in the Constitution.

 

Please bring your placards and banners. You are also welcome to join us in the Saheli office on the 15th of May at 2 pm where we will be making placards.

 

Date: Saturday, 15^th May 2010 at 5 pm

Venue: Central Market, Lajpat Nagar

Meeting point: 3Cs Cinema Hall

 

Let’s get together to raise our voice, in hope that a time comes when we don't open the newspapers to news about crimes against young people in the name of ‘honour’. 

 

Spread the word and join us.

 

In solidarity,

 

Saheli

 

Please forward this mail to all your friends!