Friend of Slain Tennis Player Radhika Yadav 'Shocked' by Online Support for Her Murder
New Delhi, July 23 (The Trending People): Weeks after the tragic murder of rising tennis star Radhika Yadav, her close friend and fellow athlete Himaanshika Singh Rajput has voiced her outrage over a wave of disturbing social media reactions defending the accused — the victim’s own father.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Himaanshika shared a reel exposing a flood of comments justifying the act and expressing sympathy for the father, who allegedly murdered his daughter over her lifestyle choices.
"Shocked" and "Anguished" by Public Reaction
“I posted two videos about Radhika Yadav last week, and I was shocked to see my entire comment section filled with men defending men,” wrote Himaanshika in a strongly worded Instagram statement. “This is not okay. Justice must be served.”
She added, “Men need to understand that this world doesn’t belong to them alone. Women exist, women resist, and women will continue to fight for each other.”
Screenshots of comments shown in the reel included disturbing messages that appeared to justify “honour killings”, with some users suggesting the father was “right” in killing his daughter for allegedly dishonouring the family.
The Case So Far
Radhika Yadav, a promising tennis player, was reportedly murdered by her father earlier this month in what has been widely condemned as a case of honour killing. The athlete had been vocal about her independence, reportedly clashing with her family over personal freedom and career choices.
The exact details of the crime are still under investigation, but the initial police report and statements by family members point to deep-rooted societal norms and patriarchal pressures that led to the fatal act.
Support and Outrage
Himaanshika’s posts have received support from other athletes, women’s rights groups, and civil society voices calling for justice and accountability. Many have demanded that strict action be taken, not just against the accused, but also against social media users glorifying such violence.
“The comment section shows the rot in our society,” one follower responded to Himaanshika’s post. Another wrote, “Thank you for speaking up. We need more people like you who won’t stay silent.”
The Broader Issue: Honour Killing and Misogyny
India continues to grapple with the issue of honour killings, where women are murdered by family members for perceived dishonour brought upon the household. While courts have called such acts barbaric and unconstitutional, public opinion — as reflected in some social media spaces — remains troubling.
The growing trend of digital justification of gender-based violence has drawn concern from activists. Many are now calling for stricter content moderation and education campaigns to counter harmful narratives.
What’s Next
Authorities are expected to press charges against Radhika Yadav’s father under sections related to murder and criminal conspiracy. Meanwhile, Himaanshika Singh Rajput has vowed to continue using her platform to seek justice for her friend and raise awareness about gender-based violence.
“This is not the time to stay silent. If we let this pass, more Radhikas will be silenced,” she said in her final message on the reel.
Final Thoughts – TheTrendingPeople.com:
The case of Radhika Yadav’s murder is not just a tragedy, it’s a stark reminder of the dangers women face — even from those closest to them. The public reaction, especially from those defending the act, raises critical questions about society's complicity in normalizing violence against women. Voices like Himaanshika's are vital in turning pain into protest.