Man Came Home Drunk, Demanded Dinner - Wife Took Too Long, So He Killed Her

Domestic violence is a problem all over the world, but perhaps the biggest problem resides in the nation of India. According to statistics, there is an incident of domestic violence in the country every four minutes.

Many of the incidents occur over dowry-related crimes, because of cruel and abusive husbands, or at the hands of the husband's relatives. One recent incident reported demonstrates just how bad things have gotten.

The recent crime occurred in a city near New Delhi called Ghaziabad. A 60-year-old man named Ashok Kumar, who reportedly drinks too much, came home to his wife one night after getting inebriated. Kumar then demanded his 55-year-old wife, Sunaina, get him dinner.

Sunaina was concerned about her husband's drinking problem and wanted to talk about it. Kumar refused, and insisted Sunaina bring him his supper. The wife stood up to her husband and told him that she would bring his supper only after he agreed to talk about his drinking.

In a rage, Kumar got his gun and shot Sunaina in the head, killing her.

Kumar was arrested. When police asked him why he shot his wife, he told them it was because she wouldn't serve dinner when he demanded it and he became angry. He later expressed remorse for his actions, admitting to the police that he might have over-reacted.

In 2015, the National Crime Records Bureau says that 327,000 instances of domestic violence occurred against women in India, though they believe the number is severely under-reported. BBC correspondent Geeta Pandy says that in India, there is a 'culture of silence and approval' surrounding domestic violence.

More than half of all families surveyed reported that they think it's okay for men to beat their wives.

It doesn't matter if it's a major transgression, such as a woman neglecting her children or treating her in-laws with blatant disrespect, or if it's a minor issue like over-salting the dinner. Men are seen as well within their rights when it comes to 'disciplining' and 'punishing' their wives physically.

Children often get caught in the crossfire when it comes to violence in the home as well. One out of ten children in India under the age of one is killed in an instance of domestic violence. Victims are more likely to live in rural, impoverished families in communities that cling to traditional values.

According to Newsweek, India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development is trying to make changes. They recognize the problem and work to help empower women by encouraging them to get an education and become financially independent.

However, such changes are extremely slow-going, as old attitudes make it difficult. Indian culture has always viewed marriage as a private affair, and it was considered offensive for anyone to interfere.

In 2005, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was passed, and it did give victims who reported abuse some respite, but not enough to encourage women to come forward.

Source: BBC, Daily Mail
Photo: YouTube, Pixabay Stock Photo, Jan Mika/123RF Stock Photo, Generic Photo U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Nesha Humes, Tony Webster/Wikimedia