A bill under consideration by the Karnataka government proposes to impose criminal penalties for acts of violence committed in the name of “honour”, defines socio-economic boycott as a punishable offence, and creates a framework to protect couples entering into inter-caste marriages. The legislation also creates an aggravated offense for sexual relations obtained through a false promise of marriage in inter-sectarian contexts, and prohibits holding illegal gatherings to oppose such marriages.
The bill – officially titled Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes as the Honor and Traditions Bill, 2026 – was discussed by the Cabinet and referred for further consultation with the Home Ministry before being tabled again for consideration.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hong Kong Patel said the draft required additional scrutiny. “The Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honor and Tradition Bill, 2026 was discussed in the Cabinet. Since some aspects require the opinion of the Home Ministry, it has been referred to it and will be tabled in the next Cabinet meeting. This relates to human rights,” he said.
The bill is also referred to as “eva namava, eva namava”, a phrase taken from the vachana of the 12th century reformer Basavanna. This expression roughly translates to “He is ours, and he is ours.”
A senior official involved in drafting the legislation said its goal was to strengthen constitutional guarantees. “The intention is to make it clear unequivocally that an individual’s right to choose his or her partner is protected under the Constitution and cannot be curtailed by family or societal pressures,” the official said. “This legislation aims to give effect to this principle.”
The draft defines inter-caste marriage as marriage between individuals from different castes or sub-castes. This law applies to women aged 18 and over and men aged 21 and over, and recognizes marriages concluded under any law, as well as proposed or intended marriages.
Couples intending to enter into an inter-caste marriage may submit an oral or written declaration of their age and readiness to the district magistrate or a designated nodal officer, who must then forward it to the nearest police station.
But advertising is optional. “This is not a prerequisite,” the official said. “The right of spouses to marry does not depend on notifying the authorities. This provision is only intended to facilitate protection when they anticipate a threat.”
The proposed law adopts a broad definition of “honour killings,” going beyond murder to include serious and simple harm, harassment intended to prevent association, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, threats, deprivation, eviction, and interference with property rights. It also criminalizes confiscating phones, freezing bank accounts, causing job losses, imposing symbolic rituals – including declaring partners “brother and sister” – performing “thethi” (death ceremonies) for living people, forced abortion, sexual violence, defamation, and forced marriage or divorce.
“Experience indicates that violence is not limited to physical assault,” the official said.
“Families and community groups often resort to social and economic boycott to sever a relationship. The bill recognizes that these are serious forms of coercion.”
Socioeconomic boycott is defined as including actions aimed at isolating couples or their families – such as denying access to markets, public facilities or places of worship, denying services or customary credit, confiscating property, denying employment or business opportunities, or denying admission to schools.
The penalties are strict. In addition to penalties under current criminal law, honor killings carry a prison sentence of at least five years. Causing serious harm to the spouses or any of the partners would be punished by aggravated imprisonment for a period of no less than 10 years, extendable to life, and a fine of up to $3 lakh. Simple mischief is punishable by imprisonment for a period of between three and five years and a fine of up to $2 lakh, while other crimes that prevent individuals from exercising their rights may result in imprisonment for a period of two to five years and a fine of up to $1 lakh.
“All crimes stipulated in the draft law are cognizable and non-bailable,” the official noted.
Criminal intimidation is punishable by imprisonment from three to five years, rising to seven years in aggravated cases, in addition to a fine of up to $2 lakh. Participating in an unlawful assembly can result in imprisonment for between six months and five years and a fine of up to $1 lakh.
The draft also introduces an aggravated crime for sexual intercourse obtained through a false promise of marriage in an inter-sectarian context. If the promise of marriage is withdrawn after the woman’s caste is revealed or known, consent is considered to have been obtained by deception.
