I can’t believe that Nitish chose someone so weak like Bharti Yadav: Nilam Katara

Some 16 years ago, Nilam Katara bravely took up a fight that seemed beyond her strength. The woman pledged to get the killers of her son punished, and she saw it through. And yet, Nilam is disappointed by her own son on one account. Nitish, the boy who believed in fighting for justice and standing with the truth at all costs, fell in love with a ‘weak woman’ like Bharti Yadav, who betrayed him in his death. Nitish Katara’s gruesome murder was one of the most shocking honour killings that India witnessed. Provoked by caste prejudice and a feudal, patriarchal mindset that doesn’t allow women to choose who they want to marry, the murder shook the nation, and also led to the fall of politician and UP strongman DP Yadav’s empire. Delhi based management graduate Nitish Katara, 24, was in a relationship with Bharti Yadav, daughter of DP Yadav. Bharti’s family was against the relationship. Bharti’s brother Vikas Yadav and cousin Vishal hammered Nitish to death and burnt his body. After a draining 14-year long battle, Nitish’s mother, Nilam Katara got him justice. The Supreme Court sent his killers to prison for 25 years. “When I saw my son’s body, it was a mess. It was not easy to fight criminals blinded by political power. Many incidences shook me, including the time when Bharti appeared in court with her husband,” recalls Nilam.

Nilam says that although she has completely forgiven Bharti, she is disappointed by her own son. “Nitish always stood up for what is right. How could Nitish, being himself and having been brought up by me, chose such a weak woman like Bharti? I have been so disappointed by his choice. How could a boy like him choose so stupidly?” she wonders.

Nilam has always wished Bharti well but she admits that she was hurt and broken when Bharti stood by the murderers of the guy she loved. “She couldn’t deny the relationship at that point of time but she said that whatever was there between Nitish and her, was just friendship. The brothers didn’t know about it. She also said that her brothers were very loving and caring people who could have never done anything like that,” says Nilam in a sad voice.