Satyamev Jayate: Aamir Khan opposes honour killings in episode 5

New Delhi: When you have the right to vote at the age of 18 and can choose the prime minister of your country, why you don’t have the freedom of choosing your life partner? In most of the families, it is a difficult task for children to tell their parents that they are in love. Many get the acceptance of their families before or after the marriage, while many others decide to elope and settle down in a different city. However, there are many unlucky couples as well who lose their lives because of this so-called crime.

Episode five of ‘Satyamev Jayate’, aired on June 3, 2012 raised the issue of honour killing in India. Guests on the show included couples who tied the knot by going against their families, relatives who lost their loved ones on the name of honour killing, people who help such couples and others.

Reports about such cases have become a regular feature in media. How can anyone kill his/her own child just for choosing a life partner?

Satyamev Jayate: Aamir opposes honour killings

Aamir Khan

Lokendra and Fehmida from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh have been struggling from past two years to save their lives from Fehmida’s family. Despite having a protection order from court, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh police officials didn’t help them.

27-year-old Rizwan Rahman from Kolkata lost his life for marrying a Hindu girl Priyanka. He was found dead close to a railway track. Police claims that he committed suicide, but his family is not ready to accept this. They have no clue about Priyanka’s whereabouts. Is she even alive?

Manoj and Babli from a village in Haryana had the same ‘Gotra’. Both of them were brutally murdered for tying the knot. Manoj’s mother and sister are still fighting for justice despite being threatened many times to withdraw the complaint.

Aamir’s brief interaction with Khap Panchayat members was the most surprising part of the show. Khap Panchayat is a religious caste-based council. These Khap Panchayats have no judicial powers or police force. Though the members claim that they never order to kill any couple, but their views on inter-caste marriages were shocking. They agreed that Manoj and Babli didn’t deserve to be killed, but according to them their marriage was morally wrong. Do these Khaps consider themselves above Indian Constitution?

When the constitution of India has given a right to every individual to choose his/her life partner, then how can anyone call these marriages illegal?

Sanjay Sachdev, Chairman of Love Commandos from New Delhi helps these couples by giving them shelter, food, protection and legal help. ‘Love shall conquer the world’ is Sanjay Sachdev’s motto.

Dr Alka Jain’s parents were against her marriage with Dr Uday Patkar. Fearing rejection from society, Alka’s parents didn’t accept her for years. However, they later realized that their daughter is happy and accepted her with open arms.

Alka and Uday’s story is definitely an example for many families. It is natural to be concerned for your child’s future. As parents, its ones responsibility to inquire about his/her future life partner, but rejecting someone on the basis of caste or religion is not justified.

Episode five of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ raised a very emotional and relevant topic. This episode will surely help in keeping TRPs of the show high.

Previous episode of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ was based on medical malpractices. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is highly upset with Aamir Khan for showing only one side of the story. The association has demanded an apology from Aamir.