A chilling verdict recently echoed across India, delivering a death sentence that underscores a profound societal malaise. A court has condemned a man to death for the horrific act of setting his wife, Lakshmi, ablaze alive – his motive: her dark skin colour. This harsh punishment, handed down eight years after the brutal crime, isn’t just a legal outcome; it’s a stark reflection of the devastating impact of colorism on society.
The attack on Lakshmi unfolded on the night of June 24, 2017. Before her tragic death, Lakshmi herself revealed the insidious torment she endured. Since their marriage in 2016, her husband, Kishandas, had relentlessly mocked her for her dark complexion, calling her “kali” (dark-skinned) and subjecting her to constant body-shaming.
On that dreadful night, Kishandas brought a plastic bottle, claiming it contained a skin-lightening medicine. According to Lakshmi’s harrowing account, he applied the brown liquid to her body. When she recoiled from its strong, acid-like smell, he committed an act of unimaginable cruelty: he set her on fire with an incense stick. Adding to the horror, as she burned, Kishandas poured the remaining liquid onto her before fleeing the scene. Her family rushed her to the hospital, but her injuries proved fatal.
The judgment, delivered by Judge Rahul Choudhary, minced no words. He condemned Kishandas’s act as not merely murder, but “a crime against humanity.” The judge highlighted the profound betrayal, stating that Kishandas “broke her trust” and showed “excessive cruelty in throwing the remaining liquid on her” while she burned.
Describing the case as fitting the “rarest of the rare” category, Judge Choudhary asserted, “It will not be an exaggeration to say that this heart-rending brutal crime was not just against Lakshmi, but it’s a crime against humanity. It’s a crime that shocks the conscience of humanity, which cannot even be imagined in a healthy and civilised society.”
The public prosecutor hailed the verdict as “historic,” expressing hope that it would serve as “a lesson for others in society.” He passionately articulated the victim’s worth: “A young woman in her early 20s was brutally murdered. She was someone’s sister, someone’s daughter; there were people who loved her. If we don’t save our daughters, then who would?”
Lakshmi’s tragic story casts a grim spotlight on the deep-rooted issue of colorism that continues to plague India. Despite ongoing campaigns and increasing awareness, the preference for fair skin remains strongly embedded in various facets of life, from matrimonial ads to media portrayals. This pervasive prejudice translates into widespread discrimination and abuse, particularly for women with darker complexions.
This death sentence, while offering a measure of justice for Lakshmi, is an urgent call to action. It forces us to confront the ugly truth that for some, the colour of one’s skin can tragically become a death sentence. Until societal attitudes fundamentally shift, until true worth is recognized beyond superficial skin tones, heartbreaking incidents like Lakshmi’s are likely to persist. Her memory must serve not just as a reminder of a horrific crime, but as a catalyst for a societal awakening against the insidious poison of colorism.
