With a spurt in cases of honour killings, Congress on Wednesday asked the government to deal with the issue with an iron hand and even consider passing a suitable law to tackle such crimes.
"We are deeply concerned over the recent spate of violence and murder in the name of honour killings. There are various levels at which this violence and murder needs to be addressed and studied. We believe that time has come now to take a national view in this matter," Party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters at the AICC briefing.
She said if the existing criminal law of the land is not sufficient, then the government should also consider the passage of any suitable law to tackle the problem.
"This happens in various permutations in different regions and we believe a holistic view should be taken. In any event this violence cannot be condoned by any civilised society and must be put down with a firm hand," Natarajan said.
Asked about the party's position on same Gotra marriages, Natarjan said, "Violence and murder for any reason cannot be condoned. Constitutional and criminal laws should be upheld at all costs."
To a query about Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's recent statement expressing reservations about same gotra marriages, Natarajan said he had himself said that he would explain it on June 25.
She at the same time added, "All Congress Chief Ministers are sworn to uphold the constitution and cannot condone violence and murder."
Hooda had recently said that marriages within the same 'gotra' are not appropriate. "These have been our customs and traditions, especially in most parts in north India, where marriages within the same gotra don't take place," he had maintained.
Asked whether Congress supports Khap Panchayats' demand for a change in Hindu Marriage Act, she said, "We have not taken any view on changes in the Hindu Marriage Act." PTI
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