Honour killing victim’s family justifies murder

CNN IBN

New Delhi, 23 June 2010: Two days after the national capital saw the death of three people in a case of honour killing, one of the victims’ relatives spoke out to the media on Wednesday and justified the murders.

"Killing some one is not right but this incident is not wrong. It is the right thing to do for the society. This is not wrong and we support it," said Dharamveer Nagar, paternal uncle of one of the girls’ killed.

 

 

There was no remorse, no fear for the law. In Wazirpur village of Delhi there has been a sanction for the murders. The people are silently supporting those who killed Monica, Kuldeep and Shobha in cold blood.

What Mandeep’s relatives say are actually sentiments expressed by their community. Most people living in the village are against their sons and daughters marrying someone from within the village. Some even go to the extent of saying that they would kill their children if they dare to defy their customs.

Marrying outside one’s caste many would think, is an old world mindset. What is shocking in Wazirpur village is that that mindset has been passed on to the young. Thirty-five-year-old Charan Singh agrees that death is the only punishment for those who marry outside their community in the village.

"I will kill my children if they marry defy me and marry within the village community," says Charan Singh.

Almost every one in the village echoes this sentiment. A misplaced sense of honour seems more important than anything else.

Monica’s elopement has had a bad affect on the village. Now every youngster will defy the family," says a villager Mahender Singh Khari.

The police have now announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for each of the suspects Ankit, Mandeep and Nakul. Preliminary medical reports suggest that all three victims were killed on Sunday night.

"Any one helping the police or informing us about the whereabouts of the three suspects will be rewarded Rs 50,000 for each accused," said NS Bundela, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North West Delhi said.

While the hunt is still on for the three suspects, the bigger question of a mindset that places honour before life is even more frightening.