The Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday tabled a bill that seeks to curb caste-based discrimination and protect inter-caste couples amid concerns over caste killings and ostracism, The New Indian Express reported.
The 2026 Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill proposes minimum five years of imprisonment for anyone killing a person or a couple in the name of “honour”.
Those causing grievous injury will face at least three years’ imprisonment with a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh, while causing simple hurt will invoke minimum of two years’ imprisonment with a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh, according to the draft legislation.
All offences under the bill are cognisable and non-bailable.
The bill aims to ensure freedom of choice in marriage, prevent caste-based crimes, safeguard human rights, promote the dignity of inter-caste unions, and establish “Eva Nammava Vedikes”, or a district-level body, to solemnise and support inter-caste marriages.
Each Eva Nammava Vedike will comprise a retired judge, a police officer, a revenue officer and a sub-registrar, the newspaper reported.
In consultation with the High Court, the government may also designate certain district courts as special fast-track courts to try cases under the proposed Act.
The draft legislation allows couples to declare their relationship to designated nodal officers, both verbally or in writing, following which the police are required to ensure their protection, The Indian Express reported.
The bill notes that while offences such as murder, assault and criminal intimidation are already punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the laws do not adequately address “brutal forms of violence” linked to preserving “caste honour”, the newspaper reported.
These include symbolic death rituals for living persons, denial of lawful inheritance, ostracism, poisoning and other covert attempts to harm couples, according to The New Indian Express.
Under the bill, all persons have the right to autonomy over their life choices, including whom to marry. It states that family consent is not required once two adults agree to marry, PTI reported.
The bill, also called “Eva Nammava” meaning “he/she is ours”, is drawn from the philosophy of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, The Indian Express reported.
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