Candlelight Vigil Planned for Slain Bridgewater Woman

A New Jersey-based women’s rights organization fighting violence and exploitation against South Asian women living in the U.S. has planned a candlelight vigil to commemorate Janaki Dantuluru, the Bridgewater woman killed in November at her home.

The vigil, organized by Manavi, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Duke Island Park.

The group cited the domestic violence reported to have occurred before her death on Nov. 16. According to the affidavit filed in connection with the case, her estranged husband, Timma Kalidindi, entered her home Nov. 14 before she arrived, then pushed her down and placed his hands on her neck when she began screaming. 

The couple's daughter called 9-1-1 to report her parents arguing and fighting, and when police arrived, Dantuluru, 43, was found unconscious, with a rope around her neck, in the residence's laundry room.

Police charged Kalidindi, 48, with her murder after she died. He is being held in Somerset County Jail on $1.5 million cash bail.

Manavi, established in 1985, was the first organization of its kind in the U.S. to specifically address the unmet needs of South Asian women victims of violence. Devangi Raval, an advocate for the group, said Manavi’s programs involve direct service provisions for women survivors of violence, grassroots organization for social change within the community, and informing mainstream institutions and organizations in the U.S. about how to better serve South Asian women.

"Through its work, Manavi ensures that women of South Asian descent in the U.S. can exercise their fundamental right to live a life of dignity that is safe and free from violence," Raval said.

The event will include an open forum and discussion after the vigil.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Raval at devangi@manavi.org, or call the Manavi office at 732-435-1414.