WOMEN’S SECURITY CANNOT BE COMPROMISED FOR POLITICAL INTERESTS

Mohammad Shafi, National Vice President of the Social Democratic Party of India, expresses deep grief and indignation over the brutal and tragic death of 19-year-old playschool teacher Manisha in Bhiwani, Haryana. This is not just a personal tragedy for her family, it is a damning reflection of the systemic failure of women’s safety under the BJP-led Haryana government. SDPI stands in unwavering solidarity with Manisha’s family and the protesting villagers in their demand for justice.

The Haryana Police’s rushed claim of suicide by pesticide ingestion is riddled with contradictions and reeks of a deliberate cover-up. Manisha’s family has outright rejected this version, alleging murder, sexual assault, and mutilation—including acid burns and missing organs. The initial post-mortem noted torn clothes, an untied salwar string, and a deep neck wound—clear indicators of foul play. Yet subsequent reports conveniently dismissed these as animal bites and decomposition, eroding the credibility of the investigation.

Adding to the suspicion, family members report coercion by authorities to accept the suicide theory. The alleged suicide note and CCTV footage of pesticide purchase remain unconvincing, especially given the decomposed state of the body and the visible signs of violence, including a slit throat.

The negligence began at the very outset. When Manisha went missing on August 11, police dismissed her family’s complaint with callous remarks that she had “run away,” delaying the FIR and any search for nearly 48 crucial hours. Even school CCTV footage was withheld until after her body was discovered on August 13. Such indifference is unforgivable and raises questions of complicity.

The collapse of law and order in Haryana under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is undeniable. Widespread protests have blocked highways, internet services in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri have been suspended to curb dissent, and belated disciplinary actions against officers only confirm institutional failure. Even opposition leaders have condemned the government’s incompetence, while threats from criminal gangs to intervene underline the growing public distrust in state machinery. Despite the case being handed to the CBI, doubts persist over whether political interference will allow the truth to emerge.

The SDPI demands a transparent and independent investigation, free from political pressure, and strict action against negligent officials. We call upon the government to prioritize women’s safety over electoral considerations. Justice for Manisha is not only a duty to her grieving family but also a test of justice for every daughter of India.