By Sanskriti Upadhyay
In mid-August 2025, a tragedy unfolded in Haryana that shook not just one family but entire communities. Nineteen-year-old Manisha, a young schoolteacher with dreams of pursuing nursing, left home on 11th August to inquire about a course. She never returned. Two days later, her body was found near a canal in Singhani village, Bhiwani. What followed was a storm of grief, anger, protest, and questions that still linger.
The Missing Complaint That Wasn’t Heard
When Manisha’s family first approached the police after she went missing, their fears were brushed aside. According to reports, officers allegedly dismissed the case, saying, “The girl must have eloped.” This assumption deepened the family’s pain and delayed the urgency of action. For parents, already terrified at the sudden disappearance of their daughter, such a response felt like betrayal.
This moment set the tone for the protests that were to follow. It highlighted a common grievance many families face—that missing women and girls are often not taken seriously until tragedy strikes.
The Shocking Discovery
On 13th August, a farmer found Manisha’s body near a canal. Devastated, her family and the local villagers demanded answers and accountability. However, the first post-mortem report left them dissatisfied. Convinced that the truth was being hidden, they staged protests, sat on dharna, and refused to accept the body until a second examination was conducted at PGI Rohtak.
What the Post-Mortem Revealed
The re-postmortem brought clarity but also raised new questions. The findings concluded:
- Poison was present in her body, pointing to possible forced ingestion or deliberate poisoning.
- No evidence of sexual assault was found.
- The injuries on her body, including marks on her neck, appeared to be animal bites, not those of human violence.
- After this report, Manisha’s father finally expressed satisfaction, and the protest ended. But for many observers, the story didn’t end there—it had only just begun.
The Community’s Anger
Across Charkhi Dadri and Bhiwani, the public erupted in protest. Markets shut down, people marched with candles, and voices demanded justice. The anger was not only about Manisha’s death but also about the systemic failures that surrounded it: the delayed police response, the casual dismissal of a missing girl’s report, and the recurring theme of women’s safety in Haryana.
The protests served as a reminder that tragedies like this affect not only one family but resonate in every household concerned for the safety of their daughters.
Political and Social Reactions
Political leaders were quick to respond, but their words revealed uncomfortable truths. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and MP Deepender Singh Hooda both raised concerns about Haryana’s poor record on women’s safety. ThThey pointed to the state’s low ranking on the social progress index and questioned how long women would have to live in fear.
Meanwhile, the government transferred senior police officers and suspended several others for negligence. While these were immediate steps, they left a more profound question unanswered: Will this case lead to genuine reforms, or will it fade as another headline?
Beyond the Case: What It Teaches Us
The Manisha case is about more than one young life lost. It is about:
- The case highlights the fragility of trust that exists between citizens and institutions. Families expect empathy and urgency when they report a missing daughter. When justice is denied, anger naturally spills onto the streets.
- Community action holds significant power. Peaceful protests—whether through candle marches or market closures—force authorities to act, reminding us of the role ordinary people play in demanding justice.
- The issue of women’s safety is a larger concern. One case, however tragic, is not isolated. It reflects a society where women are often vulnerable and where safety remains a daily struggle.
A Final Reflection
As the protests die down and the investigation continues, one truth remains—Manisha should have been alive today. Her dreams of nursing, her future, and her smile were cut short in circumstances that still demand full clarity.
For her family, closure may never fully come. For society, this case must serve as a reminder that women’s safety cannot be treated as an afterthought. LaWe need to evolve police protocols and community attitudes.
The hope is that Manisha’s story does not become just another news report but a catalyst for change. Because every daughter deserves to step out of her home with safety, dignity, and freedom.
