Rajasthan: Woman Allegedly Murdered For ‘Going Against Rajput Pride By Working & Earning For Her Family
Courtesy: The Indian Express I Image Credit: The Indian Express
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A 33-year-old woman from Alwar district, Rajasthan was allegedly murdered for ‘going against Rajput pride’. Usha Devi, a mother of two, was reportedly killed by her husband’s uncle. According to the information given by the police, Devi’s husband’s uncle Mamraj Singh killed her because he felt that a woman who worked was going against Rajput pride.

Usha Devi was the breadwinner of the family, supplementing her husband’s income. “She managed to do all the household chores along with her work at the factory. The house would always be clean, and she was constantly trying to make the best out of limited resources,” said Shyam Singh, a relative. Gairaj, an employer of the factory, told The Indian Express that Devi had been committed to working and she had been showing a gentle nature.

Devi earned most of the family’s income by working at a plastic factory. Her relatives and neighbours said that she had never been to school and all she had been dreaming was about her children and their future. She started her work before dawn. “She used to wake up before 5 am and go out to collect firewood so that she could prepare food for her children to take to school. Around 8 am, she would leave the plastic factory and return only after 6 pm,” said Devi’s elder sister Beena.

Around 4-5 months ago, my uncle tried to stop my wife from going to work and she beat him with her sandal. I had roughed him up, too. But we never thought he would kill her. I had warned her once after I saw him following her,” said Mukesh Devi’s husband to The Indian Express.

Police said that Singh had not shown any signs of guilt. “Singh lived near Bhiwani for many years. Preliminary investigation suggests that he had planned the attack and there were also several instances earlier when he had followed Devi,” said Surendra Malik, station house officer, Shahjahanpur police station. “He said that he committed the murder because it is against Rajput pride for women to work. What is even more shameful is the fact that the murder was committed in a public place but nobody helped the victim,” he added.

According to the report, the sight of the murder was just a few yards from a bustling highway, amidst tea stalls and automobile shops. Shopkeepers and local residents said that the market used to close every 15th and they had not witnessed the crime.

The accused was nabbed by the police on March 16 from the hillocks, where he was hiding after committing the murder. Singh is now in judicial custody. Police recovered a sword, the weapon reportedly used for the murder.


The Logical Indian take

The alleged murder of Usha Devi reveals the mindset of a certain section of the Indian society that views women as inferior to men, meant only to remain behind the doors of her husband’s house. The inherent patriarchy prevents women to be taken as individuals who can do more than work in the kitchen. Usha Devi’s job was not only important for her but provided for her entire family. With her demise, her husband might not be able to take care of the family alone while paying for his children’s education.

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Editor : Anoopa Sebastian Sebastian

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