Shraddha murder case: Union minister Kaushal Kishore blames victim for her murder, netizens slam him

Social media users are furious about allegations made by Union minister Kaushal Kishore that Shraddha Walkar was responsible for her murder. Kishore claimed that educated women are to fault for abandoning their parents for live-in relationships while speaking to the television network CNN-News18.

If you really fall in love with someone, get married first. What’s this live-in relationship? Such methods are encouraging crimes, Kishore said when asked if he held the victim responsible for her murder. “Absolutely responsible (for the incident). Her mother opposed, her father opposed… an educated girl took this decision… it was a mistake.. they should get involved in (live-in relationships).”

Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a member of the Rajya Sabha, criticised Kishore for having a “blame-the-woman-for-all-problems mentality” and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fire the minister if he truly believes what he says about women shakti.

“Surprised he didn’t say girls are responsible for being born into this nation. Shameless, heartless and cruel, blame-the-woman-for-all problems mentality continues to thrive,” Chaturvedi said in a tweet.

“If @PMOIndia really means what he says about women Shakti then he must sack this Union Minister immediately. We the women have had enough of carrying the burden of such patriarchal rubbish in the society,” she added.

Aaftab Amin Poonawala, the accused, is accused of killing Shraddha Vikas Walkar, his live-in partner, on May 18. He is also accused of hacking her body into 35 pieces and dumping them in the Chhattarpur and Mehrauli neighbourhoods.

In 2019, Poonawala and Walkar connected through an internet dating service. Later, they began employment at a call centre in Mumbai’s Malad district. The pair started living together in Mumbai before relocating to Delhi in May of this year since their families were against their relationship.