The Concept of Honour

Having established the fact that "honour" is not gender-neutral, this contentious concept has been examined by feminist scholars in the light of unequal power relations, control over women's sexuality and lack of access to property and resources. This paper examines the manifestation of patriarchal and caste honour beyond the moment of choosing one's romantic or sexual partner. The daily codes of conduct as they operate in a rural setting are explored here through a gender-caste matrix. It argues that subordinated women can collectively challenge strictures of brahminical patriarchy, especially when our interventions address the intersectionality of caste and gender.