Chhattisgarh: Woman Sarpanch Killed Publicly By Brother For Performing Her Mother’s Last Rites

Painful end to a loving daughter
Geeta Prahlad, the woman Sarpanch of Mohda village in Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday, had defied tradition by lighting up the funeral pyre of her mother Surjubai. Though it was mother’s wish that Geeta performed her last rites, but it was not well taken by Geeta’s elder brother Santosh.

Victim of patriarchy
Angered by the denial to light the pyre, Santosh alias Tejram Verma and his younger son Piyush on Thursday hacked Geeta to death in full public view. 44-year-old Geeta, along with her older sister Sita and some other relatives were going to a village pond for some post-cremation rituals when they were attacked by the two. They hit Geeta with an axe and she died instantly while Sita succumbed severe injuries trying to protect her.

Santosh and Piyush were later arrested and according to Investigating Officer Arun Devta, Santosh has confessed he was annoyed with Geeta for conducting their mother’s last rites.

Apparently, Santosh had abandoned his mother years ago for a family dispute. Geeta was taking care of her mother and that’s why their mother had told her to perform her last rites. Santosh had not attended the funeral and was unperturbed. However, after the local newspaper published Geeta’s photo performing the last rites, Santosh’s neighbours started to taunt him. In a feat of anger, Santosh was provoked and committed this heinous act. He already held a grudge against her sister for being more assertive and successful in life.

The Logical Indian is appalled by this crime. Incidents like these mirrors how patriarchy is deeply rooted in the culture of India. We lost a fellow citizen of ours due to insanity, every time a fellow citizen of ours lose their life in such a manner, we fail as a society. Let us raise our voices in unison and ensure such incidents never happen again.