She was Provoked

Kiranjit received the first ever, ‘Asian Women Award’.

Story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia is just an ordinary one. She like thousands of other Indian women in India and around the world is a victim of Domestic Violence. But what makes Kiranjit stand-apart is that she found the courage deep within, which made her finally put an end to the constant abuse – by her husband.

Kiranjit suffered brutality in the hands of her husband, a man who had vowed to love and cherish her till the very end. A man who not only betrayed her trust but also gave her pain and agony that will remain with her forever. But there is always a saturation point; finally after suffering for nearly 10 years Kiranjit took a final stand – in May 1989, she set fire to her husband Deepak.

She was charged with murder and imprisoned for life for her crime, by the British courts. A sentence of minimum of 12 years in prison was gifted out to her.

Though Kiranjit’s mental trauma was over, she still couldn’t find peace in her heart, in her soul. She was constantly worried about her two young boys, who were living with her mother-in law, while she was in prison. But as they say, “not all is black and there exists humanity”, her probation officer contacted the Southhall Black Sisterswho decided to take up her cause. First they helped her with transferring the custody of her two children from her mother-in-law to her sister. Then they gathered further detailed information about the case and finally lodged an appeal with the higher courts in September 1991.

Their part battle was won, when the court when in July 1992, the court granted a re-trail of Kiranjit Ahluwalia. After further 1 year of struggle by her support group, (in September 1992) Kiranjit was set free by the Crown commissioned on the basis of diminished responsibility. The sight was completely unimaginable, she had thousands of supporters cheering and applauding her, when she stepped out of the prison. An un-known lady today was a house-hold name in Britain.

Since then its been no-looking back for Kiranjit; she has been an active member of work groups fighting against domestic violence, she co-wrote a book titled, “Circle of Light” with Rahila Gupta, her sons are in university and was recently present for a special preview of the movie, “Provoked”- which is based on her ordeal. At the function, when asked about her thoughts on the movie, she said…

“I’m glad that the film has been made. Hopefully my story will help women like me, who are trapped in similar situations, to come out and let the world know about their plight. Women who have suffered like me need not feel it’s the end of the world for them. I want them to know that there’s hope.”

And when asked about her intentions of getting re-married, she coyly answered…

“After what I’ve done, do you think any man would want to marry me? No man can trust me and I can trust no man. It isn’t as if I’ve been put off men for life , or that I think they’re all bad. My brother, my brother-in-law, are decent men and devoted husbands. I don’t know why this had to happen to me.”

Agree resorting to violence and killing someone cannot be deemed as right solution to one’s problems, but we were not in Kiranjit’s place and we can’t even begin to imagine what it must have been like for her. One can only pray and wish that women in similar situations are able to receive the support and assistance they require from their family and the system. And above all, the inner strength to say ‘No’ to domestic violence in the name of marriage.