GADAG, India — In a tragic incident, a young woman took her own life after enduring months of harassment over her skin color from her in-laws in Gadag, a city in Karnataka, police said. Pooja Ayyanagoudar, 24, who had been married for just four months, was reportedly subjected to constant taunts about her complexion by her mother-in-law and her husband’s elder brother.
The harassment came to a tragic end on April 15 when Ayyanagoudar was found deceased at her in-laws’ residence. Following the discovery, her parents lodged a complaint with local authorities, leading to the arrest of both the mother-in-law, Shashikala, and the brother-in-law, Veeranagouda. They are currently held in judicial custody.
District Superintendent of Police, BS Nemagouda, confirmed the arrests and the circumstances surrounding Ayyanagoudar’s demise. “The complaint filed by Pooja’s parents indicated she was relentlessly harassed over her darker skin tone, which supposedly led to her tragic decision,” Nemagouda stated.
Ayyanagoudar was originally from Ballari and had moved to Betgeri-Gadag after her marriage to Amaresh, a resident of the area. Amaresh, who is employed at a private company in Shahapur, had reportedly been planning to relocate with Ayyanagoudar soon, owing to his recent job transfer.
The case highlights the lingering societal challenges related to skin color, an issue that plagues many parts of India and impacts numerous lives, particularly women. The family’s complaint and subsequent arrests open a window into the deeply engrained biases that still exist, despite growing awareness and condemnation of colorism.
Colorism, or discrimination based on skin shade, remains a pervasive problem in India, manifesting in both personal relationships and broader societal settings, including the workplace and media. Campaigns and movements across the country have sought to address and combat this prejudice, promoting skin color acceptance and a shift towards equitability.
This tragic case reflects the urgent need for continued advocacy and education to alter perceptions of beauty and value linked to skin color. It also underscores the critical role of law enforcement and social institutions in addressing and preventing such harassment.
Local police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of Ayyanagoudar’s death. Further details will be provided as they become available, and the community awaits justice for Pooja Ayyanagoudar.
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