Political Scandal Unveiled: Prajwal Revanna Accused in Sexual Exploitation Controversy

If the scorching heat amidst sweltering electioneering wasn’t hot enough, some prurient parlour games have been added a heady potent to the mix.

At the centre of the affair is JD(S) MP and its Hassan candidate Prajwal Revanna  accused of sexually exploiting several women -- Government employees, house helps, unorganised sector -- over many years after more than 2000 explicit videos appeared on social media. If this was bad news, another woman also named his father Holenarasipura MLA Revanna for abusing her from 2019-22 resulting in his arrest. Both are grandson and son of ex-Prime Minister Deve Gowda.

Predictably, a blame game has started. While Revanna’s brother and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has distanced the Party from the matter. BJP which has partnered JD(S) in Karnataka has accused the Congress Government of letting Prajwal flee the country, against the backdrop it took three long days before the State Government blinked and formed a Special Investigation Team to nail the truth. With and a look-out circular and a Blue corner alert, Prajwal is slated to return in a day or two.

Sensing an opportunity to hit back at BJP, Congress’s Rahul accused it of aligning with a “mass rapist” and “always protecting” those who commit crimes against women. Besides, asking Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to help the victims. Yawn.

Why am I not shocked? Primarily, as, it is not the first time a politician has been caught with his pants down. Over the years there have been many instances of our Right Honourables exploiting high offices for sexual favours. Beginning with ex-Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram son Suresh’s affair in the 70’s down Andhra Governor ND Tiwari sexual romp with three women 2009 alongside acknowledging a 34-year old as his son after a paternity test.

Former UP Samajwadi bahubali Amarmani Tripathi extra-marital affair with poetess Madhumita Shukla 2007, Ex-Haryana Minister Gopal Kunda accused in an air hostess suicide 2012, Madhya Pradesh Minister Raghavji for abusing his domestic help by promising Government job 2013, junior Union Foreign Minister Akbar singed by ‘Me-Too’ 2018, BJP ex-MP Brij Bhushan Singh accused by female wrestlers last year ditto ex-Haryana Sports Minister and ex-hockey captain Sandeep Singh accused by a junior coach resigned. 

In a country where netas dalliances are seen as mere peccadilloes and accepted with a wink or ‘weaponised’ by rivals, has the latest controversy changed anything? No. Fobbed off as political mudslinging between two Parties, ‘honey-trap-by-rivals-out-to-get-him’ or reduced to entertainment distractions, a tamasha.   

Questionably, at what point do we say enough is enough? There are hundreds of instances of courage where women have come out to accost their predators. Political masters and blatant misogynist have ensured that political, corporate, sports film worlds thrive on dirty games to flaunt their masculinity. Association for Democratic Reform found over 134 sitting MPs and MlAs accused of crimes against women.

Raising a moot point: Why are women viewed as sex objects? A plaything of males to satisfy their libido and massage their egos? Why are we so complacent when it come reporting sexual crimes?

Clearly, in a society which lives with the regressive mindset that freedom and equality for women tantamount to promiscuity, we swing between two extremes. One where a girl child is bad news and nurtured on “conform” paranoia: Not to rock the boat, be fearful of what lies around the corner and subjecting them to countless restrictions in the name of women’s protection. Whereby fathers make the rules, husbands enforce them and male bosses reiterate them, speaking out against someone’s wrong doing is tough.

A girl raped by one of her male relatives in locked in the precincts of her home, is told to keep quite to avoid repercussions on the facetious pretext of ‘what will people say’ and ‘nobody will marry you.’ Several women who face sexual abuse at work stay quite in order to avoid further harassment and unwanted attention. Or are hesitant to speak out fearing they will be dubbed ‘loose charactered’ at best or ostracized at worst. Either which way the damage is done.  Getting married and raising kids is the core of female existence. Sic.

Not a few women complain that they are viewed as sex objects and mince-meat for male lust camouflaged as human animals to either comply or reconcile to battling it out at every level. To rise professionally they need a ‘godfather’ who can make or break them.

Perhaps it has something to do with our patriarchal lineage and misogynistic culture. Whereby, we show utter disregard and disrespect for women.... rape, marital rapes, sexual assault and systemic harassment et al. A culture that believes that the worst aspect of rape is the defilement of the victim, who will no longer be able to find a man to marry her — and that the only solution is to marry the rapist.

Recently, Karnataka’s Home Minister blamed “western culture these things do happen”. Really? Added another, “The more skin women show it’s like if there's gasoline, there will be fire. If there's spilt sugar, ants will gravitate towards it.” Cooed another, “Girls shouldn’t wear jeans and exposing clothes, it is against desi sabhyata…. They have no business to be driving around at 2 am in the morning.” Disgusting, to say the least.

In an era when political image is branded like detergents, our netas completely disregard the fact that they have failed miserably in making our cities safe for its people. Crimes against women have more than tripled over the past ten years, according to National Crime Records Bureau’s latest data.

Notwithstanding the #Me Too campaign, in a society where the national narrative conditions people to think that sexual harassment has no consequences; where sex crimes are dismissed as result of an imbalanced sex ratio; and where women have little or no cultural respect, it is going to be a steep uphill to change what is just par for the course.

Where does one go from here? Given that this oppressive atrocity against women will get worse, not better. Clearly our leaders need to pay heed and address this seriously. For starters why haven’t our policing laws been strengthened? Laws tightened which would deter men to think thousand times before they commit crime?

Our education system needs to emphasise the importance of gender equality and eradicate the sick male mindset. We need to change our approach to sexual harassment. One option is radical feminism to make a social impact and safety of women should be an important article of faith with people, society and Government. Along-with dignity, equal opportunity and independence of thought and action.

To that end, we need stricter laws that ensure that those found guilty of workplace harassment are punished. The Vishakha judgment guidelines provide many safeguards, like having an “appropriate complaints mechanism with a complaints committee” at all. Parties should constitute an Internal Complaints Committee.

Clearly, a revolutionary change is needed. The Constitution has given equal rights to women. Merely mouthing platitudes of freedom will no longer work. We need cry a halt to women being playthings of voyeuristic men. Will women continue to constitute the weaker gender? Continue to rot at the hands of lecherous, predatory or pedophile men? Will we break new ground and unshackle women?  A time to introspect and say Times Up. Enough of sexual harassment