By Arré Bench Sep. 28, 2020
In a shocking clip, Madhya Pradesh Additional Director General Purushottam Sharma is seen beating his wife brutally. What’s worse though, was what followed the video: Sharma went on to justify the assault by saying that his wife had complained against him earlier, but continued to live off him. Sharma has been fired.
Incidents of domestic violence have been on the rise in our country following the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic. Even though we didn’t really need more proof of this fact, a video doing the rounds of social media platforms on Monday morning, indicates exactly that. In the shocking clip, a senior IPS officer Purushottam Sharma is seen beating and abusing his wife at their residence.
Officer Additional Director General Purushottam Sharma is seen in the video pulling his wife’s hair and throwing her on the ground in a fit of rage, after she apparently caught him having an extra-marital affair.
The video was shared by the officer’s son, who lodged a complaint against his father. Sharma was relieved of his duties soon after.
Action against DG rank officer Purushottam Sharma in Madhya Pradesh. This, after a video of his assaulting his wife was put out by his son, demanding action pic.twitter.com/CH4z2Exdh2
— Padmaja joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) September 28, 2020
However, the most shocking part of this incident seems to be the officer’s reaction to the viral video. Unfazed by the vocal criticism and backlash on social media platforms, Sharma appeared to later defend his actions in an interview.
“If my nature is abusive she should’ve complained earlier. This is a family dispute, not a crime. I am neither a violent person nor a criminal,” the officer told ANI, before adding that his wife had been living in his house, “enjoying all facilities”, and “travelling abroad on his expenses”, despite having once filed a case against him in 2008.
If my nature is abusive then she should’ve complained earlier. This is a family dispute, not a crime. I am neither a violent person nor a criminal. It is unfortunate that I have to go through this. My wife stalks me & has put cameras in the house: Additional DG Purshottam Sharma https://t.co/R58xF8daTD
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2020
The officer’s entitled reaction led to outrage on social media, with prominent personalities leading the charge. Some, such as Shiv Sena’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, pointed out that his reaction was more proof that men think it’s okay to treat women like “their property”. Several others questioned why no legal action had been initiated yet.
This mindset. Exactly this feeling which makes men think that women are ‘their property’ to ill treat, to beat, to do as they please.
If law keepers talk this language & get violent with women what hope in hell will the society have. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/rpAqPKLcKm— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) September 28, 2020
SHAME ON YOU https://t.co/zIhxhLoLnH
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) September 28, 2020
Why the fuck is he being interviewed and how the fuck is he not in a lock-up already? https://t.co/9ieRotq7Rt
— V (@ivivek_nambiar) September 28, 2020
The National Commission of Women has meanwhile written to the state’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan demanding that the officer be taken to task. This is the same officer, after all, who was earlier caught in a “honey trap” scandal when he was the Special DG of the Cyber Cell and Special Task Force.
Our Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to @ChouhanShivraj seeking appropriate punishment against Special DG #PurushottamSharma for abusing his wife. Such incidents send a wrong message to the society. @NCWIndia is aware that the senior official has been relieved of his duties. https://t.co/Mv8zd3P4Yy
— NCW (@NCWIndia) September 28, 2020
He has been relieved of his duties. If anyone who holds a responsible position, is found to be indulging in illegal activities and taking laws into his hands, then action will be taken against them, irrespective of who they are: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan https://t.co/R58xF8daTD pic.twitter.com/TMOMV2mtf6
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2020
Sharma’s reaction to the video has made it clear once again that domestic violence is both a serious issue in the country and one that isn’t taken seriously enough. As the outrage continues, hopefully stricter action will be taken against the officer soon.
Comments