Radhika’s murder: A life silenced by patriarchy?

THE brutal killing of 25-year-old tennis player Radhika Yadav by her own father Deepak Yadav in Gurugram is a blunt pointer to how toxic patriarchy continues to simmer beneath the surface of even urban, upwardly mobile Indian households. While the case seems like a tragic aberration, it reflects a deep and disturbing reality: that a woman’s autonomy, even over her image and ambition, can still be a fatal threat to the male ego. Early reports suggest that Radhika’s father was struggling with depression and social taunts over her public presence, especially her Instagram reels, her music video and her financial independence. As per the police, the accused was reportedly shamed by acquaintances and relatives who questioned why he “allowed” his daughter to pursue public-facing avenues like social media and tennis coaching.