Karnataka Drafts Law to Penalize Honour Crimes and Protect Inter-Caste Couples

The Karnataka government has drafted the 'Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026,' also known as 'Iva Nammava.' The bill aims to address rising honour crimes, particularly targeting inter-caste marriages, by imposing penalties ranging from five years to life imprisonment. It includes protections for consenting adults, legal safeguards against violence and coercion, and mechanisms for couples to declare their marriage intentions to authorities. The legislation follows recent cases of violence linked to caste-based discrimination and seeks to uphold fundamental rights related to marriage choice.