Honour killing and the gender question a study in Punjab and Haryana

Abstract

The present study has been an effort to undertake a systematic analysis of the phenomenon of killings in the name of honour, with a focus on Punjab and Haryana. As discussed in the first Chapter, there is a dearth of empirical studies on this issue, primarily because of the sensitivity involved, apart from the difficult terrain of gathering first hand data from the relatives of victims and perpetrators, identifying cases and obtaining authentic data from the families of victims and perpetrators. The very decision to take up the study was extremely challenging and therefore it took a lot of effort and time to formulate the methodology to be adopted, cases to be taken up and contacting the respondents, who themselves were so varied in each case. (Dis) honour killings have been occurring in all countries all over the world and these have been reported in parts of India as well. Such killings are a part of the violence against women that occurs across time and space (Sen, 2006). Nasrulla, Haqqi and Cummings (2009) have defined honour killing as the murder of a woman by her own family members to avenge shame brought by her infidelity or other culturally unacceptable behaviour. Further, Spierenburg (1998: 2) argued that honour killings are inextricably aligned with the concept of masculinity. Honour is constructed through dualistic notions of honour and shame, whereas masculinity is largely constructed in terms of womenand#8223;s chastity. Men retain masculinity not only through regulation of the behaviour of women but also by protecting them from their potential dishonouring by other males (Lindisfarne, 1994: 85). This question of honour and the consequent killings in the name of honour have remained in focus in the present study. newline