Chitradurga residents protest against the murder of Renukaswamy on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Women are caught between two roles… either as a damsel in distress or as a long-suffering wife,” said feminist activist Madhu Bhushan, talking about the two women – Pavithra Gowda (a close friend) and Vijayalakshmi (the wife) – who are protagonists in the story revolving around Kannada film actor Darshan, who has been arrested in a murder case.
Ms Bhushan was among those who protested in front of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce when Darshan was accused of beating and threatening his wife in 2011.
Pavithra Gowda and actor Darshan | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“It was an issue [online harassment by the now murdered Renukaswamy] Pavitra could have handled it herself by complaining to the police, but she chose to complain to Darshan. On the other hand, we have media anchors blaming Vijayalakshmi for tolerating Darshan’s behaviour for so long. Why should women be held accountable for a man’s conduct?” she questioned.
“What stopped Pavitra or Darshan from filing a complaint with the cyber cell? They failed to see it as an issue of sexual harassment of a woman.”Brinda Adige,Women’s rights activist
The incident that led to Renukaswamy’s alleged murder started with her posting lewd comments/sending obscene messages to Ms. Gowda. With thousands of women facing online harassment on a daily basis, women’s rights activists believe filing a complaint would have been the right course of action.
Women’s rights activist Vrinda Adige said, “What stopped Pavitra or Darshan from filing a complaint with the cyber cell? They failed to see it as an issue of sexual harassment of a woman. Darshan typically looked at it from the perspective of toxic masculinity. The fact that he and his colleagues thought they could get away with it is scary.”
Actor Darshan and his wife Vijayalakshmi at a press conference on 9 October 2011.
The activist stressed the role of the state in such cases. “When his wife accused him of physical and mental abuse, the case was soon closed and such incidents send a message to people that no one can touch a person of Darshan’s stature, who is a film star and also a campaigner for political leaders. Now the government should consider making strict laws for online trolling so that the police can take strict action,” he said.
The case has also brought to the fore the wider issue of women being judged on the basis of their “character”. “When a woman’s issue comes up, it becomes more about objectification. But the same is not true with a man. In Darshan’s case too, there are a lot of issues, including what happened to his wife. But it did not affect his career, name or fame. But many female actors who came forward during the #MeToo movement disappeared from the film industry,” said KS Vimala of the All India Democratic Women’s Association.
