The tragic killing of young tennis player Radhika Yadav by her father has now taken an even more distressing turn with emotional revelations from her best friend, Himanshika Singh, shedding light on the suffocating and deeply conservative environment Radhika allegedly endured at home.
Himanshika’s Testimony:
In her video and social media posts, Himanshika — who had known Radhika since 2012 — painted a heartbreaking portrait of a girl whose freedom, individuality, and passions were systematically stifled by a highly controlling household.
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Strict Control Over Personal Freedom:Himanshika revealed that Radhika’s movements were tightly monitored, including strict curfews and constant scrutiny over whom she interacted with, even during video calls.
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Targeted for Clothing and Friendships:Radhika was allegedly shamed for wearing shorts, talking to boys, and generally for expressing herself. Her father in particular was described as overbearing, repeatedly criticising and controlling her, which led to deep emotional distress.
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Isolation and Suppression of Hobbies:Radhika once loved shooting videos and taking photos, but over time, Himanshika said, even those small outlets were taken away due to mounting familial and societal pressure.
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Emotional Turmoil and Suffocation:"She felt suffocated," Himanshika said, describing a life where Radhika had to “be answerable for everything” and had little space to breathe, let alone grow. Her isolation was profound — she rarely interacted with anyone except her parents.
A Cry Against Patriarchal Control:
Himanshika’s revelations underscore the wider societal issue of rigid patriarchal norms, emotional abuse, and honour-based control still prevalent in parts of India. The alleged motives behind the crime seem rooted in perceived dishonour and intolerance toward female autonomy.
Radhika, remembered as a sweet, kind-hearted girl, had dreams and hobbies — all gradually crushed under the weight of family-imposed restrictions and toxic control. Her murder has sparked outrage, grief, and renewed calls for mental health support, gender sensitisation, and legal accountability in domestic abuse cases.
The case remains under investigation, but Himanshika’s voice has brought much-needed attention to the invisible violence that can exist inside even respectable-looking homes — and the devastating consequences it can have.
