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Power to make rules STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Amendment Act 26 of 2026:- Whereas the persistence of caste-based discrimination in the State of Karnataka continues to manifest in brutal forms of violence, including honour killings, particularly against young adults who exercise their constitutional right to choose their life partners through inter- caste marriages. And whereas while offences like murder, assault, and criminal intimidation are punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Central Act 45 of 2023) these provisions do not adequately address the specific social motive of preserving perceived "caste honour" or the wide range of coercive practices employed from performing death rituals (thithi) for living daughters, denying lawful inheritance rights, social ostracism, to insidious attempts at causing harm through poisoning or other covert means. Such acts not only violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India but also undermine the vision of social reformers like Sree Basavanna and Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who advocated inter- caste marriages as a means to eradicate caste hierarchy. And Whereas Existing laws lack proactive mechanisms for protection of at-risk couples, mandatory police intervention, fast-track adjudication, and restoration of civil rights such as inheritance. In the absence of a dedicated legislation, perpetrators often escape stringent punishment and victims or survivors receive inadequate relief and rehabilitation. And Whereas The Constitution of India enshrines the principle of fraternity as essential to securing the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation and this principle demands the eradication of caste-based discrimination and the promotion of social solidarity through the recognition and protection of inter-caste marriages. Therefore, it is considered necessary to make a legislation to,- (i) provide freedom of choice in marriage and prevention and prohibition of caste based crimes; (ii) prevent violation of human rights; (iii) bring honour to inter-caste marriage; (iv) prevent enforced caste based discrimination in individual choices; and (v) constitute eva nammava eva nammava vedike to solemnise inter- caste marriages. Hence, the Bill. [L.A. Bill No. 07 of 2026, File No. SAMVYASHAE 09 SHASANA 2026] [Article 21 and entries 5, 20 and 23 of List III of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India] [Published in Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary No.274 in part-IVA dated:10.04.2026] KARNATAKA ACT NO. 26 OF 2026 (First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 10th day of April, 2026) KARNATAKA FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN MARRIAGE AND PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION OF CRIMES IN THE NAME OF HONOUR AND TRADITION (EVA NAMMAVA EVA NAMMAVA) ACT, 2026 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 09th day of April, 2026) Whereas the Constitution of India guarantees to all persons the fundamental rights to equality before the law and equal protection of the laws (Article 14), the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21), and the freedoms of expression, association, and movement (Article 19); And whereas the primordial human rights of life, liberty, equality and dignity enshrined in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 shall be available to persons exercising their decisional freedom; And whereas these rights include the autonomy of all persons to choose their partners, to enter into marriage and to lead lives with dignity; And whereas the Constitution recognizes the liberty and autonomy which inheres in each individual and includes the ability to take decisions on aspects which define one's personhood and identity. This includes the choice of a partner in marriage; And whereas an alarming increase in violence, harassment, threats, and social ostracism—often perpetrated in the name of caste hierarchy, honour, custom, - is being directed against individuals, especially young couples, who exercise their right to marry; And whereas such violence disproportionately affects women, who are subjected to patriarchal control over their choices, and men from marginalized communities, who are targeted when their relationships cross caste boundaries; And whereas endogamy operates as a structural mechanism designed to preserve the caste system, and inter-caste marriages serve as essential instruments for dismantling its rigid and oppressive framework and for advancing the constitutional principle of fraternity; And whereas the Constitution of India enshrines the principle of fraternity as essential to securing the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation, and this principle demands the eradication of caste-based discrimination and the promotion of social solidarity through the recognition and protection of inter-caste marriages; And whereas such acts constitute a grave violation of constitutional rights and human dignity, and must be recognized not as private or familial matters, but as serious offences warranting legal intervention and protection; And whereas it is necessary to prevent individuals and groups from enforcing caste based discrimination in individual choices; And whereas it is necessary to create an environment of inclusivity, promoting fraternity, mirroring the all embracing time honoured principle of "Eva Nammava, Eva Nammava."; And whereas it is necessary that proactive steps be taken to prevent the commission of such acts and to establish comprehensive protective measures, including preventive, remedial, and rehabilitative mechanisms, to safeguard individuals and to ensure that State authorities are under a legal obligation to respond effectively and uphold the constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and equality; Now therefore, it is expedient to enact a law to affirm and protect the liberty, dignity, and autonomy of all persons, to prevent crimes committed in the name of “honour” and tradition, to penalize any conduct that interferes with individual freedom of choice in marriage and to provide legal safeguards, remedies, and institutional mechanisms for prevention, redressal, and rehabilitation. Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follow:-