When 29 year-old man who exposed 'hypocrisy' of Khap panchayats on Aamir Khan's TV show Satyamev Jayate was shot down in his village

Aamir Khan's popular TV show Satyamev Jayate completed 10 years today (August 22). Host Aamir Khan and his show highlighted societal issues in the show. One such tragic incident happened when a villager who got featured on the show got shot down after returning to his village.

The tragic and disturbing murder of Abdul Hakim, a 29-year-old man gained attention after exposing the hypocrisy of Khap panchayats on Aamir Khan's TV show "Satyamev Jayate. Hakim's murder has been described by his wife, Mehvish, as an honour killing orchestrated by her family members in retaliation for their love marriage.

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Abdul Hakim and his wife Mehvish had fled their village, Adoli in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, due to threats from her family and the community after they married against the wishes of Mehvish's family. Their story gained nationwide attention when they appeared on "Satyamev Jayate," a popular television show hosted by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.

The show aimed to bring light to various social issues, and in this case, it focused on the oppressive practices of khap panchayats, which are traditional village councils often criticized for enforcing regressive social norms.

Hakim's appearance on the show made him a public figure, especially as he spoke out against female foeticide and honor killings, two practices still prevalent in parts of rural India. Despite the fame and the attention their story received, the couple lived under constant threat.

On one Thursday, when Hakim was on his way to get medicines for his eight-month-pregnant wife, he was shot dead in broad daylight by five armed assailants. According to Mehvish, the murder was carried out by her family members, who had previously threatened the couple with death.

In a chilling audio clip that was taken earlier, Mehvish's mother had warned them that the community would not let them live in peace and would eventually kill them. Despite these threats, the couple returned to their village about four months prior to the murder.

The murder came to light only three days later when Mehvish managed to contact local journalists. She expressed her grief and frustration, blaming the police for not believing their earlier claims and failing to provide adequate security.

She had also mentioned that only one person, her uncle Asif Anwar, had been arrested, while the other culprits, who had publicly declared their intention to kill Hakim, were still at large. The police, however, have dismissed the notion of honor killing, suggesting instead that the murder was a result of some old personal enmity.

Khap panchayats, traditional village councils that wield significant influence in rural parts of North India, have been frequently criticized for their regressive and often unlawful rulings, particularly concerning marriage. These councils have often condemned marriages within the same gotra (clan) or between individuals from different castes and have been known to endorse honor killings as a means of upholding "family honor."

Hakim's decision to speak out against such practices on a national platform marked him as a target. His murder, therefore, is not just a personal tragedy but also a stark reminder of the deep-seated patriarchal values that continue to endanger lives in some parts of the country.

The murder of Abdul Hakim drew widespread condemnation. Aamir Khan, who was promoting his film "Talaash" in Jaipur when the incident came to light, expressed his shock and sorrow. He described the murder as "disturbing and unfortunate" and pledged to speak to the government to ensure the safety of Hakim's surviving family members.

However, this case also highlights the larger issue of systemic failure. Despite the couple's public appeals and the nationwide attention their story received, the lack of adequate protection underscores a significant gap in the enforcement of laws intended to protect individuals from such violent retribution.