Skip to main content

Bengaluru software engineer's suicide: Legal provisions misused for personal vendettas, humiliation?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 
A young software engineer in Bengaluru recently took his own life, reportedly due to the immense stress caused by a marital dispute with his wife. Before his death, he left a detailed video and a lengthy note describing the harassment he and his family allegedly faced. This tragic incident is one of many that highlight deeper social crises in India, where legal provisions are sometimes misused for personal vendettas or humiliation.
India's patriarchal structure persists, but it is often perpetuated by those who are considered "oppressed," as they sometimes exploit it when opportunities arise. While our society undoubtedly benefits men, attempts to establish equality have largely failed. This failure stems from the fact that we still function as collectivist communities rather than as individuals. While the Constitution guarantees equality, societal norms continue to reinforce inequality—whether in life, marriage, or even death.
This inequality often leads to false allegations and emotional exploitation. It is crucial for laws to be gender-neutral, but it is equally important for judges and decision-makers to approach cases with genuine gender sensitivity. This does not mean ignoring grave realities but rather balancing fairness and understanding.
Financial considerations also play a significant role in such disputes. Legal cases, especially those involving marital conflicts, often become tools for harassment. Lawyers, in some instances, exacerbate the problem by encouraging clients to demand exorbitant compensations. This dynamic primarily benefits lawyers rather than the parties involved, with district and high court cases often proving particularly lucrative for attorneys handling marital disputes.
Family courts, intended to resolve such issues, frequently fall short. They often urge women to compromise rather than address the root problems. For determined individuals, reaching a resolution can take years, only to face further challenges if the decision is contested.
Our society is fraught with contradictions. Cultural values place men in dominant positions, but the Constitution guarantees equality. Unfortunately, many only invoke constitutional rights in desperate times while otherwise adhering to traditional social norms. Marginalized rural women, constrained by patriarchy and caste discrimination, often cannot access courts due to financial and social barriers. Meanwhile, the middle and upper classes use legal systems to maximize gains, turning personal disputes into prolonged legal battles.
Marriage should be built on equality, and separation should be a straightforward and dignified process. The stigma attached to divorce often leads to exaggerated accusations and excessive demands for compensation, which can financially ruin the other party. Many cases of marital discord remain unreported, leaving people to suffer in silence.
To prevent such tragedies, society must encourage honest negotiations and introduce binding agreements before marriage. While painful, separation is sometimes necessary and should be facilitated peacefully. Marriages often falter due to unmet expectations, financial disputes, and societal pressures like dowry demands.
The current system is leading to devastating outcomes, including suicides and even violent acts. It is essential to address these issues with transparency and fairness, ensuring that legal and societal structures do not push individuals to the brink. Marriage and separation should prioritize the dignity and well-being of both partners, fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and equality.
---
*Human rights defender 

Comments

TRENDING

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative   At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

The myth of population decline: India’s real challenge is density, not fertility

By N.S. Venkataraman*   India’s population in 2025 stands at approximately 1.4 billion. In 1950, it was 359 million, rising sharply to 1.05 billion by 2000. The population continues to grow and is projected to reach around 1.7 billion by 2050.

How natural and organic farming can be a key to combating the climate crisis

By Raj Kumar Sinha*  On July 9, while addressing the “Sahkar Samvad” in Ahmedabad with women and workers associated with cooperatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that natural farming is essential for both our health and the health of the soil. This is a significant statement in the context of addressing the climate change crisis. Natural farming can play a crucial role in combating climate change. Also known as organic farming, it is a system of agriculture that can increase food production without harming the environment. Natural farming has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 35% to 50%.

Another 'honor' killing in Tamil Nadu: Caste pride has murdered love, again

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Once again, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a brutal so-called 'honor' killing. This time, it is Kevin Selvaganesh, a 27-year-old software engineer from the Scheduled Caste community, who has been hacked to death by the family of the girl he loved since childhood. Kevin, a brilliant student employed at Tata Consultancy Services, was in a relationship with Subashini, his schoolmate and girlfriend. The couple, both well-educated and professionally qualified, had plans to marry. Yet, that love story ended in bloodshed — sacrificed at the altar of caste pride.

From Kailasa to Lodonia: The business of inventing nations in India

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  This is the story of India—and the 'ideas' and 'imagination' that shape it. Some years ago, someone announced the creation of the 'United States of Kailasa,' a fictional nation 'founded' by Swami Nithyananda, who remains wanted in multiple criminal cases in India, including rape and murder. Remarkably, representatives of this fabricated country even managed to 'participate' in various United Nations events, including sessions of CEDAW in Geneva.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative   Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar  For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

100 yrs of RSS as seen by global media house: Power, controversy, push for Hindu-first India

By Rajiv Shah  On a blistering summer evening in Nagpur, nearly a thousand men in brown trousers, white shirts, and black caps stood in formation as a saffron flag was raised, marking a graduation ceremony for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers. This vivid scene, described in a recent FT Weekend Magazine article, “A hundred years after it was founded, India's Hindu-nationalist movement is getting closer to its goal of a Hindu-first state,” captures the enduring presence of the RSS, a century-old Hindu-nationalist organization.