Social media Sensation on Honour Killing

Dr. Egalapati Sireesha

Department of law Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

Honor killings, where individuals are murdered by their families for defying traditional social norms, remain a significant and persistent issue in India. The role of social media in these crimes has been twofold—on one hand, it raises awareness by bringing attention to such atrocities, but on the other, it can contribute to sensationalism, distorting facts and inflaming public outrage. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can fuel emotions, often based on incomplete or exaggerated narratives, leading to unintended consequences in the legal and social discourse surrounding honor killings. The Indian government has undertaken multiple legal initiatives to address honor killings, including amending existing laws, establishing victim support mechanisms, and creating stronger protective provisions. The Supreme Court of India has played a pivotal role in emphasizing the need for safeguarding the rights of individuals, particularly the right to marry freely, without fear of violence from family or community. Legal frameworks, including the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), provide the foundation for prosecuting honor killings, yet challenges remain, such as gaps in law enforcement and persistent societal resistance. This paper explores the complex interaction between social media, legal structures, and judicial responses in India, with a focus on the influence of social media, the government’s legal approach, and landmark Supreme Court rulings. It highlights the delicate balance between raising awareness and preventing sensationalism, underscoring the need for more robust legal reforms and comprehensive social change to combat honor killings effectively. Keywords: Honor killings, social media, Legal approach, Supreme Court of India, Gender-based violence, Judicial response.

Cite the article: Sireesha, Egalapati. "Social Media Sensation on Honour Killing." International Journal of Law, Education, Social and Sports Studies, vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, pp. 9-23. doi:10.33329/ijless.12.1.9.

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