‘Completely Unacceptable in a Democracy’: Madhya Pradesh High Court Bars ‘Surpanakha Dahan’ Event in Indore, Stops Burning Effigies of Women Facing Criminal Charges
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has halted the controversial Dusshera event Surpanakha Dahan in Indore, which planned to burn effigies of 11 women facing criminal charges, including Sonam Raghuvanshi and Muskan. The court called the act unconstitutional, defaming the accused and violating democratic principles.
The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Saturday intervened to stop the controversial Dusshera event, “Surpanakha Dahan,” which intended to replace Ravana’s effigy with those of 11 women facing criminal charges. The list included Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of murdering her husband, Muskan from the infamous “blue drum” case in Meerut, and others linked to fraud, child trafficking, and liquor smuggling. The Court termed the act unconstitutional, stating that publicly burning effigies of women facing charges amounted to defamation and violated democratic principles. The controversy intensified after Sonam’s mother filed a petition, highlighting that her daughter is still on trial. Paurush, the men’s rights group organising Surpanakha Dahan, said the event aimed to symbolise modern evils, not insult women. Indore Couple Case: Tourist Accidentally Records ‘Last Video’ of Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi at Meghalaya’s Double Decker Bridge.
Madhya Pradesh HC Stops Surpanakha Dahan, Bars Burning Effigies of Women Facing Charges
In an unfortunate development, the proposed program of effigy burning of modern Suprnakhas on Dussehra. by our Indore Team was banned by the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. High Court gave this Judgement on a petition filed by the Mother of #SonamRaghuvanshi
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— NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) September 27, 2025
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