The Karnataka government presented the “Iva Nammava Iva Nammava (He is ours, he is ours)” Bill in the Assembly to address issues related to “honour killings” and violence stemming from objections to inter-caste or inter-community marriages. This move follows a tragic incident where a pregnant woman, Manya Patil, was brutally killed by her father and relatives in Hubballi for marrying someone from the Scheduled Caste community. The proposed legislation aims to protect the right of consenting adults to marry, safeguarding them from coercion by family or community, and imposing strict penalties, including a minimum five-year imprisonment for offenders.
The Bill, named after a 12th-century Kannada vachana by social reformer Basavanna, emphasizes equality and opposes discrimination. It includes provisions for 24-hour helplines and safe houses for couples facing threats from their families or communities. Going beyond murder, the bill defines “honour crimes” to cover physical harm, forced marriage or divorce, social boycotts, and even performing death rituals for living couples. Offences are classified as cognisable and non-bailable, with severe penalties such as life imprisonment for certain violent acts.
The legislation is designed to empower individuals, especially those in inter-caste, inter-community, or inter-religious marriages, to freely choose their partners without the fear of violence. The tragic case of Manya Patil, who was murdered in Hubballi taluk in December 2025 for marrying a Dalit, highlights the importance of such legal protections. Despite initial efforts to mediate tensions between the families, the situation escalated, leading to the fatal attack on Manya by her father and relatives.
