A court in India has sentenced a man to death for the murder of his wife, Lakshmi, who he allegedly burned alive over issues related to her skin color. The incident occurred on June 24, 2017, and the subsequent ruling was delivered recently by District Judge Rahul Choudhary in Udaipur.
Prior to her death, Lakshmi reported enduring frequent taunts from her husband, Kishandas, about her darker skin. In her statements, she mentioned being referred to derogatory terms and facing body shaming since their marriage in 2016. On the night of the incident, Kishandas brought a plastic bottle containing a brown liquid, claiming it was a remedy to lighten her skin. According to court documents, after she expressed that the liquid had an acrid smell, he set her on fire using an incense stick, and subsequently poured the remaining liquid on her before fleeing the scene. Kishandas’s family transported Lakshmi to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
While the prosecution characterized the murder as a heinous act against humanity, Kishandas’s lawyer maintained his client’s innocence, arguing that the death was accidental and that there was insufficient evidence against him. Kishandas has 30 days to appeal the death sentence, which the public prosecutor, Dinesh Paliwal, described as “historic” and hoped it would serve as a lesson to society.
This case highlights ongoing societal issues in India regarding colorism, where individuals with darker skin face discrimination. Skin-lightening products are prevalent in the market, and preferences for lighter skin tones are often reflected in cultural practices and matrimonial advertisements. Although recent campaigns have emerged to challenge these biases, deeply rooted perceptions continue to impact many lives.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyryrwwdj7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss