On Friday, progressive, Dalit, women’s, and left organizations held a protest and candlelight vigil in Hubballi. They condemned the murder of Manya, a six-month pregnant woman. She was killed by her own father and relatives for marrying outside her caste. Manya’s husband, Vivekananda, who is Dalit, and his parents were attacked and badly injured in the same incident. The protestors demanded immediate compensation for Vivekananda’s family. They also asked for full protection so that they can live with dignity. They want the government to give Vivekananda a job as well. They called for a fair, fast, and impartial investigation to punish all involved, including conspirators. Additionally, they urged the State government to create a strong law against ‘dishonour’ crimes through public talks. They want strict enforcement of Supreme Court guidelines from the ‘Shakti Vahini vs Union of India’ case. The groups also pushed for wide sensitization programs and serious action to completely end caste discrimination. The protest described the crime as a chilling sign of how caste and patriarchy still control personal choices, especially for women. They rejected the phrase ‘honour killing’, saying it just hides cold-blooded murder. The protestors said, “A father killing his own daughter exposes the extreme inhumanity of the caste system and directly violates the constitutional values of equality, liberty, and fraternity.” Reports say the couple once moved to Haveri fearing for their safety but came back to their village near Belagali in Hubballi. That is where the attack happened. The protestors questioned why no good protection was given despite clear threats. They stressed that waiting to act after such crimes is not enough.