Even as the government remains divided over the fate of proposed amendments to existing laws to tackle honour killings,former CJI and NHRC Chairman K G Balakrishnan on Tuesday said there was no need for a separate law as these were cases of sheer murder. The law should take its own course, he said although he observed that it was painful to hear children were being killed by parents. Balakrishnan was speaking at a seminar on the subject organised by All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA). However,many women activists and Chairperson of National Commission for Women,Girija Vyas were unanimous in their demand for a new law to deal with the subject. A law is the need of the hour, Vyas said pointing out that of late the panel has been flooded with such complaints. I get at least two calls every week, she said. CPM Politburo member and AIDWA leader Brinda Karat seconded her. Vyas objected to the use of honour for describing such killings and said steps should be taken to ensure khap panchayats dont have a free run. Recently,when the Home Ministry tried to get the Cabinets approval for amending laws to rein in khap panchayats,sharp divisions within the Cabinet forced it to seek comments of states on the proposed changes. Once the states send in their comments,the issue would be deliberated upon by a group of ministers.
