A 25-year-old national-level tennis player was shot and killed by her father in a shocking incident that has reignited debate around honour killings and gender-based violence in India.
Radhika Yadav, a promising athlete who had recently opened her own tennis academy in Gurugram, was fatally shot five times by her father, Deepak Yadav, a former bank employee, while she was preparing breakfast at home on 9 July.
Police say the father confessed to the killing, citing pressure and ridicule from villagers who mocked him for depending on his daughter. He also admitted to being uncomfortable with her growing public presence and independence.
“In the village, people mocked me for living off my daughter’s earnings,” he told investigators. “I asked her to shut down the tennis academy, but she refused.”
Radhika had recently paused her professional career due to a shoulder injury and had focused on mentoring young athletes through her own training centre.
Her friend and fellow tennis player, Himanshika Singh, took to social media to speak out following the incident. In an emotional Instagram video, Singh said Radhika was not a victim of fame or romantic entanglements, but of a patriarchal mindset.
“She was murdered by her own father… not because of love or any relationship, but because a fragile male ego couldn’t tolerate her freedom,” said Singh. “They shamed her for wearing shorts, for talking to boys, for wanting to live independently, even though she had built a tennis academy and was doing so well.”
According to Singh, Radhika lived in a tightly controlled home environment. “She had to report who she was speaking to. Even during our video calls, her parents would check the screen. Her academy was just 50 metres away, but she had a deadline to be home.”
The incident was discovered by Radhika’s uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lives on the floor below. Hearing gunshots, he rushed upstairs to find Radhika on the kitchen floor. A revolver was found nearby. He alerted the police, who arrested the father at the scene.
Radhika’s increasing visibility, including on social media and in a recent music video appearance, had reportedly caused growing tensions at home in recent months.
The killing has sparked widespread condemnation. Women’s rights advocates have pointed to the persistence of honour-based violence in India, where many women continue to face control and violence within their own homes.
Despite repeated calls from human rights organisations and legal reforms, the country continues to see a number of honour killings, often linked to women's autonomy, career choices, or relationships that challenge traditional norms.
Christian reflection
This tragedy strikes at the heart of one of the most pressing issues in Indian society, the struggle for women to live freely and safely. The death of Radhika Yadav is not just a family tragedy; it is a symptom of a deeper cultural illness that values reputation over the sacredness of life.
As Christians, we are reminded of the words in Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Justice and mercy go hand in hand. Radhika’s life, full of potential and promise, was extinguished by those meant to protect her.
The Church must stand against all forms of injustice, particularly those that devalue women made in the image of God. We must be a voice of hope and courage for the many young women in the country seeking to live with dignity, purpose, and freedom.
