Court Sentences Indian Man to Death Over Brutal Murder of Wife
Deborah Bassey
A court in India recently handed down a death sentence to a man for setting his wife, Lakshmi, on fire due to her dark skin. This harsh punishment underscores the severity of the crime and its broader societal implications.
According to a BBC report from Wednesday, the attack occurred on June 24, 2017, which was over eight years ago, and the court's ruling, delivered last weekend, has garnered significant attention in a country where colorism remains a pervasive issue.
Lakshmi had been subjected to verbal abuse by her husband, Kishandas, who repeatedly mocked her skin tone, calling her “kali” and belittling her appearance since their marriage in 2016.
On the night of the attack, Kishandas allegedly brought a plastic bottle filled with a brown liquid, claiming it was a skin-lightening agent. Lakshmi stated that when she complained about a strong, acid-like smell, her husband proceeded to set her on fire with an incense stick.
In a particularly cruel twist, he then poured the remaining liquid on her while she was burning before fleeing the scene. Her family rushed her to the hospital, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
Judge Rahul Choudhary condemned the crime as not just murder, but as “a crime against humanity.” He noted that Kishandas had "betrayed her trust" and showed "unspeakable cruelty" by adding more liquid while she was burning. The judge described the crime as falling into the “rarest of the rare” category, emphasizing that it was so shocking and brutal that it was unimaginable in a civilized society.
The public prosecutor hailed the ruling as “historic,” hoping it would send a powerful message to society. He remarked, “A young woman in her early 20s was cruelly murdered. She was someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, loved by her family. If we don’t protect our daughters, who will?”
This tragic case underscores the deeply ingrained issue of colorism, where women with darker skin often face discrimination and abuse. Despite ongoing efforts to challenge these harmful prejudices, the preference for fair skin remains widespread, leading to devastating consequences. Unless societal attitudes evolve, such horrific incidents are likely to continue.
