Patriarchy, a social system wherein males hold primary power, and honour killing, a form of violence where individuals (usually women) are killed by their family members for perceived violation of family or community honour, are two deeply interconnected phenomena. Both are rooted in a culture that values male dominance and female subordination, and both perpetuate and reinforce each other. In India, the linkages between patriarchy and honour killing are particularly evident, as the country has a long history of patriarchal norms and practices, and also has a high incidence of honour killings.
The Underpinnings of Patriarchy:
Patriarchy in India is deeply ingrained and manifests in various forms, such as gender discrimination, female infanticide, dowry, child marriage, and domestic violence. It is a system that privileges men, subordinates women, and strictly enforces gender roles and norms. In this system, women are often seen as the bearers of family honour, and their behaviour, particularly their sexual behaviour, is heavily policed. Any deviation from the prescribed norms is seen as a threat to the family’s honour and reputation.
The Connection to Honour Killing:
Honour killing is a direct outcome of the patriarchal mindset. It is a violent form of punishment meted out to individuals, especially women, who are perceived to have brought dishonour upon their family or community. The perceived dishonour could be due to a variety of reasons, such as marrying outside one’s caste or religion, engaging in premarital or extramarital sexual relationships, or even dressing in ways deemed inappropriate.
Recent Cases:
- In 2016, a 23-year-old Dalit man named Shankar was brutally killed in Tamil Nadu by his wife’s family because he had married a woman from a higher caste. This case highlighted the deep-seated caste and patriarchal biases that perpetuate honour killings in India.
- In 2018, a young couple in Telangana was killed by the woman’s father for marrying against his wishes. The father, a caste Hindu, was against his daughter marrying a Dalit man. This case underscored the interplay of caste, patriarchy, and honour killing.
The thematic linkages between patriarchy and honour killing in India are evident. Both are rooted in a culture that values male dominance and female subordination. While patriarchy creates and enforces strict gender norms, honour killing serves as a violent mechanism to enforce these normas. To break this vicious cycle, it is crucial to challenge and dismantle patriarchal norms and attitudes, and to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
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