India, Feb. 28 -- A draft bill under consideration by the Karnataka government proposes criminal penalties for violence committed in the name of "honour," defines social and economic boycott as a punishable offence, and creates a framework to protect couples entering inter-caste marriages. The legislation also introduces an aggravated offence for sexual relations obtained through a false promise of marriage in inter-caste contexts and bars unlawful assemblies convened to oppose such unions.

The Bill -- formally titled the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026 -- was discussed by the Cabinet and referred for further consultation with the Home Departm...