Why Was a Pregnant Woman Killed for Marrying Outside Her Caste in Karnataka?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Caste-based violence remains a serious issue.
- Manya Patil was seven months pregnant at the time of her murder.
- The attack was carried out by her family members.
- Police interventions had previously attempted to mediate family tensions.
- The investigation is ongoing, with police actively pursuing leads.
In a deeply distressing incident, a seven-month pregnant woman, identified as Manya Patil, was brutally murdered in Hubballi taluk of Karnataka. The attack was allegedly orchestrated by her father, Prakash Patil, along with two other relatives, due to her marriage to a man from a different caste.
The police apprehended the suspects shortly after the incident, which occurred on a Sunday night at Inam Veerapura village. According to Dharwad Superintendent of Police Gunjan Arya, Manya was attacked with a sprinkler pipe and an axe at her husband’s home, resulting in fatal head injuries. Tragically, she passed away later that evening, while her in-laws sustained injuries during the assault.
Manya, a member of the Lingayat community, had entered into a marriage with Vivekananda, a Dalit, after developing a romantic relationship during their college years. The couple had married on June 19 at a registrar's office in Hubballi after overcoming significant familial opposition. Their love story began on Instagram, and they felt compelled to return to their village, hoping that Manya's pregnancy would foster acceptance.
Despite previous interventions by police to mediate tensions between the families, Manya's father and relatives allegedly confronted her at home, leading to the tragic outcome. Fortunately, Vivekananda escaped unharmed, but his parents are currently receiving medical care.
The police have initiated a thorough investigation into this heinous crime.