SOUTHALL Black Sisters (SBS) has honoured the legacy of Gurwinder Kaur and renewed its call for urgent action against domestic abuse, following the conviction of her husband, Ravi Yadav, for rape and financial abuse.
The group described the guilty verdict, delivered on 29 April 2025, as a significant moment of justice. SBS said it is one of the first cases in the UK where a conviction for rape has been secured after the victim’s death.
Gurwinder Kaur died of cancer before the trial concluded but had shared years of abuse with SBS, including coercion into marriage at age 19, dowry harassment in India, religious abuse, and escalating violence after moving to the UK in 2005.
On 27 January 2020, she reported being raped twice by Yadav. He was arrested on 30 August 2020 and later released on bail. SBS supported her in securing Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders to prevent contact.
The Crown Prosecution Service initially declined to proceed with the case due to her death, but reversed its decision after pressure from SBS and support from community members including Dr Kulwant Singh and Pinder Kaur.
Evidence provided by Gurwinder and her children played a central role in securing the unanimous verdict.
Shakila Taranum Maan of SBS said: “While Gurwinder’s life was marked by extraordinary resilience in the face of relentless abuse, her legacy is one of courage and hope.
Her decision to speak out, despite the risks, sends a powerful message to other women trapped in silence.”
SBS called for reforms to better protect women facing multiple barriers, including those related to race, religion, class, caste, disability, and immigration status. “No woman should ever have to die for her truth to be believed,” SBS said.
Sir Anwar cutting the cake during Bestway group’s 32nd annual charity day last Friday (20)
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot
Lord Tariq Ahmad
Lord Jitesh Gadhia and Lord Zameer Choudrey
Guests at the Pavilion restaurant
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)