July 27, 2024

Prajwal Revanna: History Of Sexual Offences Comes To Light

By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2024-05-07 02:08:05

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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.