‘Eva Nammava’: Karnataka Pushes Law Backing Love, Choice, and Personal Freedom
Karnataka bill protects adults’ right to marry freely and penalises honour-based crimes.
The Karnataka government on Wednesday introduced the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly, aiming to safeguard adults’ right to choose their partners and curb so-called honour-based crimes.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework grounded in constitutional principles, particularly Articles 14, 19, and 21, as well as the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It affirms that all consenting adults have the freedom to marry a person of their choice without interference from family members, caste groups, or community bodies. The move comes amid ongoing concerns over violence, harassment, and social ostracism faced by inter-caste couples, often disproportionately affecting women and marginalised communities.
A key provision of the Bill is the classification of honour-based crimes as public offences rather than private family matters. It proposes strict penalties for acts such as physical violence, murder, abduction, social and economic boycotts, threats, confinement, forced remarriage, and denial of inheritance. The legislation also bans unlawful assemblies convened to oppose marriages that defy caste or community norms.
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The Bill introduces specific protection mechanisms for couples, including the option to file a declaration of intent with the District Magistrate to access police protection and immunity from third-party complaints. Courts will be empowered to issue urgent protection orders, with violations punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 lakh.
To strengthen enforcement, the legislation mandates the creation of district-level safe houses, 24/7 helplines, and special police cells led by senior officers. It also prescribes a six-hour response time for police, 60-day investigation deadlines, and penalties for public officials who fail to act. Fast-track courts are proposed for time-bound trials, with cases to be disposed of within two months.
The Bill also introduces the “Eva Nammava” (meaning “Our People”) framework to promote inclusivity, including district-level support bodies to assist inter-caste couples and awareness campaigns in high-risk areas. If enacted, the law is expected to significantly strengthen legal protections and social support systems for individuals exercising their right to choose their partners.
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