CM encourages inter-faith marriages, condemns honour killings

Mysuru, Apr 23: Strongly condemning the recent incidents of honour killing in Mysuru and Mandya districts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government would encourage inter-faith and inter-caste marriages and extend monetary help to newly married couples.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on Women, women laws and human rights — a perspective', organised jointly by the Karnataka State Women's Commission and the University of Mysore here, he said the disturbing trend of honour killings must end and the deep-rooted caste system, said to be the cause for such killings, must be eradicated from society.

More inter-caste and inter-religious weddings could be one of the solutions to eradicate the caste system, he said, adding that the government would continue to encourage inter-caste marriages and extend financial support to such couples.

The Chief Minister felt violence against women would decline if they were made financially and socially strong. Many financial schemes had been launched for their empowerment, besides offering them free education. Saying the government was committed to empowering women, he expressed concern over the skewed sex ratio. A serious view had to be taken to address problems such as female foeticide, and violence against women and children, he said.