Support to wife-beater Darshan exposes our warped value system

The Kannada film industry has maintained a rather ominous silence when it comes to the case of actor Darshan beating up his wife Vijayalakshmi. The wife, who had filed an extensive five-page complaint, was coerced by ‘well-wishers’ from the industry on how she shouldn’t make her private life public.

Today, sources close to the family say that the wife wants to not just to backtrack on her words but is also considering giving her husband another chance, succumbing to the pressure and fear surrounding her. Darshan, on the other hand, hasn’t spent much time in jail. He’s now been diagnosed with jaundice, asthma and liver complication, and the doctors treating him have advised him to stay hospitalised for at least another week, till he’s completely fine.

On the other hand, innumerable fans and industry friends are pledging support and ensuring he comes out without a single scratch. Women in the industry, who had initially expressed shock and disbelief over Darshan’s ways, are now holding back when it comes to standing up for and supporting the beaten homemaker.

The reason for this restrained silence in Sandalwood is fear — which could be of being judged, ostracised or even banned. Not a single leading lady in Sandalwood has taken a stand to voice her opinion about the heinous act, leave alone condemn it. They are all seeking refuge under silence. Not one heroine has vented her displeasure about the ban on actor Nikitha Thukral either, not even her close friends.

If this case is to determine the sensibilities and orientations of the people in Sandalwood, then the future for women is bleak. It is time for opinion leaders to stand up and fight for justice. Or we could soon be walking around in a barbaric city, after all the so-called ‘Demi Gods’ like these actors walk scot-free when it comes to such gruesome acts.