There is widespread outrage over thousands of video clips showing Prajwal Revanna engaging in sexual assault with multiple women, sparking a political controversy during the Indian general elections.
Prajwal, a member of parliament from the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), is the joint candidate of JD-S and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka’s Hassan constituency, which went to polls on April 26.
The videos depict instances of non-consensual sexual encounters where Prajwal is seen with multiple women, allegedly recorded without their consent.
Hailing from Karnataka’s influential Gowda family, Prajwal is the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the son of H.D. Revanna, a legislator in the Karnataka state assembly, and the nephew of former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is contesting from Mandya.
Rumors about Prajwal’s sexual misconduct, including assaults on government officials, party workers, and domestic help, and his use of recorded videos for blackmail, had been circulating. Despite obtaining a gag order in June 2023, over 2,900 video clips surfaced just before the election in Hassan, leading to a major scandal.
Following complaints from victims, charges of sexual assault have been filed against Prajwal, leading to his suspension from JD-S and the formation of a Special Investigation Team by the Karnataka government. Reports suggest that Prajwal has left the country.
Poltical parties are accusing each other, with the JD-S and BJP blaming the Congress for distributing the videos, while the Congress criticizes the BJP for supporting Prajwal’s candidacy.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for campaigning for Prajwal, labeling him a “mass rapist.” Gandhi accused the BJP of prioritizing power over morality.
Despite prior knowledge of Prajwal’s actions, the BJP endorsed his candidacy due to the need for Vokkaliga votes in south Karnataka to challenge the Congress. Amit Shah, the Home Minister, distanced the party from Prajwal at a public rally.
The BJP’s history of supporting individuals accused of sexual crimes, such as the premature release of convicts in a high-profile case, raises concerns about its stance on such issues.
Overall, parties prioritize electability over ethical conduct, often backing candidates with influence despite their criminal background.
In the midst of the political debate, the victims’ voices have been overshadowed, highlighting the injustice they face due to the public release of unblurred video clips.