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Provoked: The Story Of Kiranjit Ahluwalia
Now a major motion picture starring Aishwarya Rai as Kiranjit, Nandita Das, Naveen Andrews, Miranda Richardson, Robbie Coltrane and a host of other stars. Born into a privileged family in India, Kiranjit Ahluwalia came to England in 1979 to be married to a man she hardly knew. The next ten years were to be a nightmare of almost daily, physical, mental and sexual violence at the hands of her husband. There was no one she could turn to for help and support. Domestic violence was a taboo subject for many Asians In Britain, and family honour - izzat - was at stake for anyone who went outside the family for help. Kiranjit, in desperation, killed the man who had tortured her for so long. Bewildered, poorly advised and speaking little English, she was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. In prison, she unexpectedly found a degree of freedom she had never known in the outside world. For the first time she was safe from beatings and abuse, and was able to enjoy the friendship and solidarity of other women who were in a similar situation. Meanwhile, a campaign organised by Southall Black Sisters, a women's group operating on a shoestring budget to draw attention to her plight was gathering momentum. Media coverage of her plight had made Kiranjit something of a cause celebre", and she attracted many prominent supporters, including Diana, Princess of Wales who urged her to write this book. She was released amid scenes of rejoicing in September 1992 when her conviction for murder was reduced to manslaughter on appeal. Regina v Ahluwalia has become legal history because it was a landmark ruling that paved the way for other women in Kiranjit's situation to win justice."
410 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 8, 2021
Provoked is a thought-provoking book. It is the author's own story and I commend her for sharing her story with the world.
Kiranjit has aims and aspirations in life and she wants to be a lawyer but when she gets married she isn't permitted to continue her studies. She gets beaten and assaulted by her husband. She also gets to know that her husband is cheating on her but like a lot of Indian women are told that after they have a child, their husband(s) will change and become more responsible and stop cheating on them as if it's the women's fault in the first place that their husbands are cheating on them. I also don't know why people think that after they have a child, things will become better but that's how it is with a lot of people.
She endures this nightmare day after day and one day she plans to end it all and she murders her husband by burning him alive. I felt good. But Kiranjit is charged with murder and she gets life imprisonment. But then a group of women heard Kiranjit's story and decided to help her.
This was a heart-wrenching story lived and endured by the author and it brings to the light that domestic violence is very real and what limits the person would go to, to end this nightmare. It also shows how emotional strength can help you to get through so much in life. I can see where some people might not empathize with Kiranjit for murdering her husband but I don't think we are the ones to judge because she was the one who had to endure everything for 10 years.
It has strong and triggering themes so it may not be for everyone. An excellent read that shares what millions of people go through everyday.
5 stars
Kiranjit has aims and aspirations in life and she wants to be a lawyer but when she gets married she isn't permitted to continue her studies. She gets beaten and assaulted by her husband. She also gets to know that her husband is cheating on her but like a lot of Indian women are told that after they have a child, their husband(s) will change and become more responsible and stop cheating on them as if it's the women's fault in the first place that their husbands are cheating on them. I also don't know why people think that after they have a child, things will become better but that's how it is with a lot of people.
She endures this nightmare day after day and one day she plans to end it all and she murders her husband by burning him alive. I felt good. But Kiranjit is charged with murder and she gets life imprisonment. But then a group of women heard Kiranjit's story and decided to help her.
This was a heart-wrenching story lived and endured by the author and it brings to the light that domestic violence is very real and what limits the person would go to, to end this nightmare. It also shows how emotional strength can help you to get through so much in life. I can see where some people might not empathize with Kiranjit for murdering her husband but I don't think we are the ones to judge because she was the one who had to endure everything for 10 years.
It has strong and triggering themes so it may not be for everyone. An excellent read that shares what millions of people go through everyday.
5 stars
August 6, 2018
Why was it not surprising that the word 'izzat' kept repeating itself throughout this book? Provoked is a real account of a real Kiranjit Ahluwalia. Why the word 'provoked'? Because that's how events unfurl. Anger, happiness, jealousy, you name it - everything is provoked. The narration kept stabbing me all the way. I didn't just have tear-filled eyes, but some blistering wounds as well. After My Feudal Lord, this is the second non-fiction that has gripped me undauntingly. I didn't want to put it down even for a second, but it kept getting heavier and I had to, because I didn't want my hands to smolder. Such is the weight that this book carries!
Marriage is not sacrilegious, but very often, people make it so. Kiranjit Ahluwalia [She's not the only one!] didn't become a "battered woman" only because of her husband. Her surrounding was equally responsible. While growing up, we're conditioned to a few ideas and those ideas stick to us and wreak havoc in our lives. A new beginning is very gentle, one needs to walk very carefully and thoughtfully. If only this made sense, the world would have been a better place!
Marriage is not sacrilegious, but very often, people make it so. Kiranjit Ahluwalia [She's not the only one!] didn't become a "battered woman" only because of her husband. Her surrounding was equally responsible. While growing up, we're conditioned to a few ideas and those ideas stick to us and wreak havoc in our lives. A new beginning is very gentle, one needs to walk very carefully and thoughtfully. If only this made sense, the world would have been a better place!
September 21, 2011
Very touching story of how Indian women are battered and tortured mentally as well as physically and they tolerate everything silently in the name of family 'izzat' and the hardships she faces from law and society when she raises her voice
March 2, 2017
It portrays the ill treatment of the women under the term"izzat" and Kiran Aluwalhia is a living example of this! Beating, humiliation and sexual abuse is a matter of shame when it comes to women but isn't it the responsibility of parents to bring up their sons to treat women like human and men learn to earn respect by behaving like human beings and not dictators.
February 5, 2016
How could anyone forget Provoked, except I am unsure if it was this year or last.
The film is a good make from the book and it is amazing how well a city born well educated Aishwarya Rai - she had a couple of years, perhaps three, of architecture before her Miss World crown - played a girl from a small village in way far Punjaab.
There are some factors kept out, though not quite hidden and changed, from the book to the film.
For one thing Kiranjit was not uneducated, she had been to college in Gujarat where her brothers were well to do, and then had visited her other siblings in UK and Canada to find a husband, while the guy who persued her through the usual channels did it against his parents' wishes in not worrying about their consent to begin with.
Subsequently she did work in UK and was appreciated in her workplace too.
All this was kept out perhaps because people have a simple - and false - equation in their minds, that any woman abused by a husband must be an illiterate simpleton. Disabusing this notion in this story, a difficult one already where one has to understand an abused woman murdering her husband, would have been a formidable task, and perhaps it was wisdom to leave that to another time.
But fact of the matter is simple solutions such as education and economic independence and financial security are just that - simple, but not quite solutions. None of those prevent women from being abused by a husband, a lover, or any other male willing to try. The change required is civilisation of males of human species.
Rarely does one come across a true life story lived so courageously and the account told so simply - most people prefer to brush things under rug for sake of social pretensions and economic considerations.
Few care about a life or a million wasted as long as it is lives of women, in the process forgetting that women are mothers and home carers who bring up children, and sacrificing them and their lives and their health and conerns is not exactly healthy for the children in any way whatsoever, whatever the gender of the children.
The film is a good make from the book and it is amazing how well a city born well educated Aishwarya Rai - she had a couple of years, perhaps three, of architecture before her Miss World crown - played a girl from a small village in way far Punjaab.
There are some factors kept out, though not quite hidden and changed, from the book to the film.
For one thing Kiranjit was not uneducated, she had been to college in Gujarat where her brothers were well to do, and then had visited her other siblings in UK and Canada to find a husband, while the guy who persued her through the usual channels did it against his parents' wishes in not worrying about their consent to begin with.
Subsequently she did work in UK and was appreciated in her workplace too.
All this was kept out perhaps because people have a simple - and false - equation in their minds, that any woman abused by a husband must be an illiterate simpleton. Disabusing this notion in this story, a difficult one already where one has to understand an abused woman murdering her husband, would have been a formidable task, and perhaps it was wisdom to leave that to another time.
But fact of the matter is simple solutions such as education and economic independence and financial security are just that - simple, but not quite solutions. None of those prevent women from being abused by a husband, a lover, or any other male willing to try. The change required is civilisation of males of human species.
Rarely does one come across a true life story lived so courageously and the account told so simply - most people prefer to brush things under rug for sake of social pretensions and economic considerations.
Few care about a life or a million wasted as long as it is lives of women, in the process forgetting that women are mothers and home carers who bring up children, and sacrificing them and their lives and their health and conerns is not exactly healthy for the children in any way whatsoever, whatever the gender of the children.
February 15, 2016
Introduction:
I've read this book after the movie 'Provoked' starring by Aishwarya Roy. I've not watched the movie yet but read this book when I found it in library.
Plot Summary:
Born in the Sikh family in Punjab, Kiran has lost both her parents at the tender age of 16. She wanted to become a lawyer but got married to Deepak who resides in London with his mother. She wanted to continue her studies but was restricted by Deepak. Soon she starts witnessing the real side of Deepak who is alcoholic, violent, abusive both physically and verbally. He even molest her sexually.
Subsequently Kiran got to know that Deepak has multiple relationship with other women. She hope that things will become normal after a child but it was not ! She spend nearly 10 years to bearing this nightmare. Fed up by his inhuman act, ultimately one day she decides to kill his husband by burning him up while he was sleeping. She was charged by murder and was sentenced to life in prison. After knowing her situation The Southball black sister, an NGO who work against domestic violence came forward and helps her to get justice.
Characters:
The protagonist of this book is Kiranjit Ahluwalia and the whole events are weaved around her.
Writing Style:
The writing flow is awesome and the authors succeed to provide a sight of domestic violence and the pity of Kiran.
My perception:
Domestic violence is one of the major crime against women. This book is a real journey of woman who has some dreams in her eyes but was married to a psycho person. Although what she did was a crime in the eye of law but she didn't have any option to get free from this hell. She was 'Provoked' to do this by the act of Deepak. This is an excellent book I recommend this book to every reader.
I've read this book after the movie 'Provoked' starring by Aishwarya Roy. I've not watched the movie yet but read this book when I found it in library.
Plot Summary:
Born in the Sikh family in Punjab, Kiran has lost both her parents at the tender age of 16. She wanted to become a lawyer but got married to Deepak who resides in London with his mother. She wanted to continue her studies but was restricted by Deepak. Soon she starts witnessing the real side of Deepak who is alcoholic, violent, abusive both physically and verbally. He even molest her sexually.
Subsequently Kiran got to know that Deepak has multiple relationship with other women. She hope that things will become normal after a child but it was not ! She spend nearly 10 years to bearing this nightmare. Fed up by his inhuman act, ultimately one day she decides to kill his husband by burning him up while he was sleeping. She was charged by murder and was sentenced to life in prison. After knowing her situation The Southball black sister, an NGO who work against domestic violence came forward and helps her to get justice.
Characters:
The protagonist of this book is Kiranjit Ahluwalia and the whole events are weaved around her.
Writing Style:
The writing flow is awesome and the authors succeed to provide a sight of domestic violence and the pity of Kiran.
My perception:
Domestic violence is one of the major crime against women. This book is a real journey of woman who has some dreams in her eyes but was married to a psycho person. Although what she did was a crime in the eye of law but she didn't have any option to get free from this hell. She was 'Provoked' to do this by the act of Deepak. This is an excellent book I recommend this book to every reader.
March 15, 2014
"Provoked" is a tough read and at times gruesome and depressing. We may delude ourselves into thinking that domestic violence would not happen to us but it always happens in some corner of the world in all levels of society. Kiranjit's heart-breaking story sadly rings true for many women, including the best and the brightest. The sad part about Provoked is that the narrative feels stretched at certain places. One finds oneself, as a reader, cheerleader, wishing Kiranjit all good things when the Southall Black Sisters' help in her release.
April 28, 2016
It’s depressing to read the story related to domestic violence and that happens at all levels of society throughout the world. Generally, a heartbreaking and touching story that seems to have been stretched at some places. The main character deserved all good things. There is so much hatred in the book that it feels bad after reading it but it shows how this woman faces hardships when she raises her voice.
August 29, 2008
I respect the lady but I feel there was so much hatred in the book. I felt bad for next two days after reading the book. The person is dead but after so many years the hatred had same intensity. I am not sure, may be the person who faced must be knowing better, but this is much common in punjab etc where there is a trend to marry to Indians from UK or Canada.
January 18, 2015
Definitely very touching, written in a very simple and easy to read style. Even though I am happy the protagonist found her way out, the incidents of her past are enough to make anyone feel depressed by the thought that there maybe so many other women out there that undergo all this and have no one to turn to :(
December 14, 2015
Provoked is a tough read. Domestic abuse is a reality in many households. It just goes to show that if family members and society pays little attention to the initial signs of distress it can go a long way in protecting the victims. Awareness is the key and women like her who use their suffering as a spring board to creating value in society and helping others deserve our respect.
November 7, 2011
it was a touching tale but i was too haunted by it to like it...
October 24, 2012
I watched the movie after reading this... One of the saddest stories I've read.... My heart goes out to her...:(
January 6, 2013
Not a pleasent read at all. A heart rending story.
February 28, 2013
One of the best books ever written, showcasing the struggle by a Single lonely lady in totally foreign land, with only emotional support.
March 21, 2014
This book depicts so many facets of a women from a young lonely girl to a chirpy teenager to a scared and abused wife, a protective mother and finally a women who fought against injustice!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews