Key Points
- An Indore-based men’s rights group, Paurush Sanstha, plans to burn an effigy of Sonam Raghuvanshi on Dussehra, portraying her as the demoness Shurpanakha.
- Sonam is the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya in May 2025.
- The event, termed ‘Shurpanakha Dahan,’ is meant to symbolize a protest against women who commit crimes against men. Raja Raghuvanshi’s family will participate.
- The plan has sparked controversy and threats against the organizers, with women’s groups calling it an unfair generalization against all women.
- Latest Update: Meghalaya Police recently filed a 790-page charge sheet against Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three hired killers for murder and criminal conspiracy.
Indore: The infamous Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, which captured national attention earlier this year, has taken a new controversial turn. An Indore-based men’s rights organization, Paurush Sanstha, has announced plans to burn an effigy of the prime accused, Sonam Raghuvanshi, during Dussehra celebrations. The effigy will depict Sonam as Shurpanakha, the deceptive demoness from the Ramayana, in an event titled ‘Shurpanakha Dahan’.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Mahalaxmi Nagar Mela Ground. Organizers plan to hold a procession from the ground to Bombay Hospital Square before returning to burn the effigy. Ashok Dashora, president of Paurush Sanstha, confirmed that members of Raja Raghuvanshi’s family will attend to support the symbolic protest. Effigies of ten other women accused of similar crimes will also be included.
The ‘Honeymoon Murder’ Case That Shocked the Nation
The case revolves around the murder of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi, 29, during his honeymoon with Sonam in Meghalaya. The couple, married on May 11, 2025, went missing on May 23. On June 2, Raja’s decomposed body was discovered in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra (Cherrapunji).
The investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) revealed a sinister plot. On September 5, 2025, Meghalaya Police filed a 790-page charge sheet naming Sonam and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, as the masterminds. They, along with three hired hitmen, are charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. Police have arrested a total of eight people in connection with the case, though three accused of helping destroy evidence have been granted bail.
Controversy, Threats, and Divided Opinions
The planned effigy burning has ignited a heated debate. Ashok Dashora stated that the act is symbolic, as Shurpanakha represents cunning and deceit, qualities he attributes to women who commit such crimes against men.
However, the event faces stiff opposition. Several women’s organizations have condemned the move, arguing that it unfairly vilifies the entire female community for the alleged crime of one individual. Dashora has reported receiving threatening phone calls from multiple states, but his organization remains firm in its decision to proceed.
Public opinion in Indore is split. While some support the effigy burning as a strong societal warning against such heinous acts, others argue it is a misogynistic act. Critics point out that while atrocities against women are common, there is no similar tradition of burning effigies of male perpetrators. The controversy highlights the deep societal divisions exposed by this tragic case.
