Was Kannada actor, Darshan wrong?

It was sad to learn about how Renuka Swamy, 33 was tortured and killed by Kannada actor, Darshan and others. From it, one may consider Renuka Swamy as the victim. But there is more to analyse here than what is visible on the surface.

Not religious, only cultural

If we look at the pics released on media of Renuka Swamy, from his attire, appearance and looks, it is obvious that he was a ‘religious’ person. I have put religious in inverted commas because the term religious here is what the world is looking at and saying. 

But if you ask me, I would strongly assert that Renuka Swamy was not religious at all. Which religion teaches you to interfere in the personal matters of others???  A person, whether religious or not religious, even if he is someone else’s fan has no right to invade the privacy of others including that of the person the fan adores. 

Renuka Swamy was absolutely wrong here. He crossed his limits. More so, he went on to be obscene by sending Darshan’s beau, Pavithra photos of his private parts. This aspect comes from the bad culture of the land that he belongs to….a culture that teaches you to invade other’s privacy and demean women and oppress them.

Hence, according to me, Renuka Swamy was not religious but only a person who follows the culture of that land without thinking. He was just part of the highly patriarchal society of that land that does not recognise the choices and opinions of women. 

He did not see his death coming but an intellectual would have definitely. He should not have done what he did. Prevention is better than cure. He could have prevented what he underwent by knowing his limits and respecting people and women.

Was Darshan wrong?

I am in no way justifying the act of Darshan and the others. Outwardly, one feels that Darshan was wrong. Yes, he was wrong. He should not have taken the law in his hands. He should have approached the police.

But one should also know that general public and celebrities have lost trust in the police and law there. Police does not act appropriately without greasing their hands. And the laws do nothing significantly to punish people who outrage the modesty of women. It will act only when there is public outrage over the rape of a person such as in the case of Nirbhaya. And then there are instances where rapists of Bilkis Bano are released and garlanded. Shame. 

Considering that, it is but natural that many people take law in their hands and kill and lynch people. It should not happen. It also shows how power and money gets into people's heads and make them do illegal work and crimes. Current day politicians are a vivid example of this aspect. 

But just punishing the culprit will not halt the murders and killings. Prevention is best and for this, society needs to stop teaching children and young about the old cultural rules that are not valid anymore. Women have moved forward a lot. It is time for men to change their mentality and accept progress of women. Accept them as humans and give them space. Stop ill-treating them. This small step is a major step to stop such happenings in the future.