There is something extremely wrong with the term ‘honour killing’. There is absolutely nothing honourable in killing a human being. The loss of a precious life can only be termed heinous. Yet, over the decades we have witnessed gruesome murders across the country, some in the name of caste, some in the name of religion, and some just to appease the absurd patriarchal ego.

The murder of a 15-year-old boy in Navi Mumbai by the family of an upper-caste girl has sent shockwaves across the country. An innocent life has been snatched away over the misplaced caste horsemanship. Not only has it left the communities of the deceased and the girl’s family divided, but has also given a fresh lease of life to the undercurrents of hatred that breed in social circles.