Jasmine Gill’s death must trigger accountability and an end to silence on domestic violence: Social Activist
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 14, 2026: Calling for accountability and collective action against domestic violence, social activist Dr Navsharan Kaur has urged families and communities to stop treating violence within marriage as a private matter and stand firmly with women facing abuse.
In a tribute to Jasmine Gill, whose death has left her eight-month-old child without a mother, Kaur said the tragedy should prompt serious questions about society's silence towards violence against women and the pressures that prevent them from seeking help.
“We must be prepared to face these questions, not merely with tears, but with honesty,” she said, stressing that the gathering in Jasmine's memory should mark a moment of accountability for families, communities and society.
Kaur said responsibility for violence rested solely with those who committed it and called on the authorities to ensure an impartial investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
She emphasised that legal accountability must be accompanied by a wider social change, particularly challenging attitudes that give husbands control over their wives and treat women as property rather than individuals entitled to equal rights, dignity, freedom and security.
“Domestic violence is not a private or merely domestic matter. It is a collective tragedy, an ugly shared truth of our community and our society,” she said.
Questioning why women are often not believed until a tragedy occurs, Kaur said families must acknowledge that homes, which are expected to provide love and security, can also become places of fear, coercion and violence.
She also challenged the tendency to prioritise family reputation and the appearance of a stable marriage over a woman's safety. “Silence is not peace. Endurance is not consent. And keeping a marriage intact is not a victory,” she said.
Referring to Jasmine's life, Kaur said she was an educated woman who had pursued a career in nursing and secured employment. She questioned why her education and financial independence could not provide her with the security and confidence to escape the circumstances she was facing.
Kaur called upon families to listen when women speak about abuse and not leave them to deal with violent situations in the name of preserving marriages or protecting family reputation.
She urged people to make their homes safe spaces where daughters could seek shelter without fear of blame, shame or conditions, and to respond to women expressing fear with support rather than advice to adjust or compromise.
“We cannot bring Jasmine back. But we can refuse to perpetuate the silence that leaves women isolated and alone,” she said, urging society to turn its grief into courage and a commitment to change.
Dr Navsharan Kaur is the daughter of Gursharan Singh (Bhai Manna Singh).