Prajwal Revanna: History Of Sexual Offences Comes To Light
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2024-05-07 02:08:05
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The India Commentary view
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Even before
the Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh affair could find a closure, the BJP finds itself
embroiled in a huge controversy regarding the sexual molestation charges
against Prajwal Revanna, grandson of H D Deve Gowda, whose party JD(S) is a BJP
ally in Karnataka. Unlike in Singh's case, in Revanna's case several videos of
the sexual assaults on women by Prajwal have surfaced as evidence. The JD(S)
has suspended him from the party and has said that the law must take its own course.
The Congress government in Karnataka has formed a SIT to probe the charges.
Prajwal, who is abroad, is expected to return to India and surrender before the
authorities. His father, JD(S) MLA H D Revanna, has already been arrested after
the police rescued a woman who was kidnapped and held captive, allegedly at his
behest, at a farmhouse belonging to his aide.
As more
women come forward to narrate their ordeal, it shows that Prajwal Revanna has a
long and disturbing history of sexually exploiting women. That his escapades
were not reported before this was only due to his immense political clout. A former driver turned whistleblower, engaged in a land
dispute with the family, clandestinely recorded Revanna's actions, subsequently
releasing the footage. Obviously, the Revanna family is going to claim
that these videos are doctored or deepfakes. But the compelling testimony of
the abused women cannot be ignored even if the authenticity of the videos is
questioned.
The case
needs to be probed with efficiency, urgency and transparency. People's
representatives cannot be allowed to lord over and abuse their constituents.
The case is as much about the dignity and autonomy of women as it is about the
abuse of power by elected representatives. As political parties recognize the
power of the vote of women who comprise 50% of the electorate and woo them with
various welfare schemes, they need to understand that providing welfare is just
one side of the coin. If women do not feel empowered, safe or equal to men in
all spheres, welfare schemes will be meaningless for them. If they are abused
by the very person who they elected to represent them, they will have no one to
turn to in times of crisis. That is why Prajwal Revanna needs to be tried by a
fast-track court and if found guilty, should be handed exemplary punishment as
per law to deter others from misusing their political clout.
