Pune Father Who Lost Young Daughter to Rape and Murder Launches Powerful Street Play

Indian Express•Published: Oct 12, 2026 05:20 AM IST

Shubham Kulkarni, a Pune father whose three-year-old daughter was raped and murdered in May, has conceptualized a 12-minute street play to advocate for women's safety and support for crime victims. Performed during the Ganesh festival before local mandals, the play addresses societal victim-blaming and encourages immediate reporting of sexual abuse to the police.

Powerful Street Play: The 12-minute Marathi production titled Nasrapur Prakaran Ajun Kiti was performed across 11 Ganesh Mandals in Pune by a volunteer troupe.
Swift Legal Outcome: The accused, 65-year-old Bhimrao Kamble, was convicted by a fast-track court and sentenced to death on June 29 under the BNS and POCSO Act.
Advocacy Foundation: Kulkarni established a charitable foundation in his daughter's memory to raise awareness about women's safety and help families navigate legal battles.

The Context & Background

The tragic incident occurred while the child was visiting her grandmother's house in Nasrapur village, sparking widespread public outrage and leading to a fast-track conviction. Kulkarni hopes the play will educate the public about the challenges of prolonged judicial processes while demanding that society stop stigmatizing victims.

Why it matters:This initiative highlights the crucial intersection of personal grief, community activism, and the urgent need to eradicate victim-blaming in cases of sexual violence. By using art to challenge societal attitudes and promote immediate crime reporting, the campaign empowers communities to actively protect women and children.

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