The bill aimed at preventing violence in the name of family honor received approval from the state legislature on Wednesday, completing its passage through the state legislature.
After being approved by the Assembly the day before, the legislation now awaits the governor’s approval.
Officially titled Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Offenses in the Name of Honor and Tradition (Eva Namava Eva Namava) Bill, 2026, the legislature outlines legal protection for couples, especially those in inter-caste relationships, who face threats or coercion.
Despite reservations expressed during the discussion, the Assembly members ultimately supported the bill unanimously, in contrast to the divisions seen in the Assembly, where BJP legislators opposed it.
Introducing the bill, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hong Kong Patel argued that current laws do not adequately address such crimes or support victims. “Since there is no dedicated law, perpetrators get away without harsh punishment and victims are not properly rehabilitated,” he said.
The legislation makes it clear that the consent of families, caste groups or clans is not required once two adults agree to marriage.
It imposes additional penalties, including a minimum imprisonment of five years along with punishment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, for murders committed in the name of honour. The social boycott associated with such cases is also criminalized.
In addition to punitive measures, the draft law provides for institutional support.
Police must provide protection within six hours of receiving a complaint from a threatened couple. It also requires the establishment of state-funded safe houses in each area, with access to legal aid and assistance from non-governmental organizations. It is the responsibility of the state and local authorities to ensure the safety of these couples.
During the discussion, BJP MLC KS Naveen suggested that counseling mechanisms could help ease family tensions. “This bill aims to support true love. However, many teenage girls are being deliberately misled across the state. If the government’s law helps in such cases, it could be helpful in hundreds of such cases,” he said.
Questions have also been raised about whether people who have reached the legal age of 18 are mature enough to make marriage decisions. In response, Patel pointed to international practices where the minimum age for marriage is higher, while noting that any change in the legal age in India would be the Centre’s prerogative.
The bill’s statement of objectives and reasons cites constitutional guarantees, including equality before the law, personal liberty, and freedom of expression, association, and movement, as the basis for an individual’s right to choose a partner.
The push for the legislation comes on the heels of a series of events in the state. State Home Minister G Parameshwara had earlier told the House that Karnataka had recorded 15 hate crimes against couples over the past five years. The case attracted renewed attention after the 2025 murder of Manya Patel in Hubballi, allegedly by her father and his associates.
