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  • February 18, 2025
Kangana Ranaut joins techie-suicide debate by saying ‘in 99% of marriages, men are to blame’

Kangana Ranaut joins techie-suicide debate by saying ‘in 99% of marriages, men are to blame’

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has courted controversy with her recent comments following the tragic suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash. In a statement that divided public opinion, Kangana said, “In 99% of marriages, the men are at fault,” while commenting on the matter.

The actor-turned-politician on Wednesday (December 11) expressed his shock over Subhash’s death and described his latest video as ‘heartbreaking’. However, she also criticized that the case had been influenced by “communism, socialism and feminism”, suggesting that the example of one wrong woman should not be used to punish other women.

“The matter is contaminated with communism, socialism and feminism. The extortion of crores, which was beyond his capacity, is condemnable. Nevertheless, we cannot use the example of a wrong woman to torture other women. In 99% of marriages, the men are at fault,” the BJP MP told news agency ANI.

Her comments have sparked many reactions on social media, with several users questioning her statement. One user wrote, “Why did Madam give only 1% mercy to the men? For her, almost 99% of the men are guilty. I never expected such a reaction from her. I used to admire her, but today I pity her. We We have to fight our own war. There is the least we can expect from the system.”

Another user commented: “She says the case is tainted with feminism and then, like a true neo-feminist, blames men for 99% of marriages.”

Some also expressed concern about her lack of evidence, wondering, “Does she have data to prove her claim?” Does she know the conviction rate in these cases? Does she know the settlement rates?’

About the case

The controversial comments have fueled the ongoing debate over the misuse of family laws in India, especially Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises cruelty against married women.

Atul Subhash, a 30-year-old engineer, was found dead at his home in Bengaluru on December 9. Before his death, he left a 24-page suicide note and a 90-minute video accusing his estranged wife and her family of extortion. , harassment and filing false criminal charges against him. Subhash alleged that his wife demanded ₹3 crore as settlement and ₹2 lakh per month in child support even though she worked at Accenture. He claimed that the pressure became unbearable, eventually causing him to commit suicide.

Political reactions

Reacting to Subhash’s death, BJP leader Jagadish Shettar called for a comprehensive investigation into the case. “This must be thoroughly investigated. The state government must take this matter very seriously. The perpetrators must be punished. The judiciary must take cognizance of all this,” Shettar said.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya stressed the need for a review of the family laws, especially section 498A, which has been a subject of debate due to its possible misuse. “…I think the time has also come for us to review many of these family-related legislations and also introduce an aspect of gender neutrality where possible to protect both partners in a marriage,” he said.

“The family is a very important institution. It is the foundation of society. And legislation that can be abused by one partner can be damaging to the institution of the family itself and will have very strong social consequences if left unchecked,” says Surya. added.

Subhash’s death has reignited public debate over the abuse of family laws, with critics claiming laws meant to protect women are being exploited for personal revenge. The incident has led to renewed calls for reforms to ensure fairness for both men and women in family-related legal matters.

READ ALSO | Supreme Court flags increasing misuse of Section 498A for ‘personal vendetta’