The Tragedy of ATUL and the Lingering Question of Male Vulnerability
Anupam Dubey
Bharat is facing an ‘epidemic’ of fatal violence against men and it happens all the time! Every time we learn about a single death where the pervasive gender bias against men plays a contributing role, it appears to be isolated and unrelated, but it is indeed part of a huge problem.
The reported incidents only represent a small portion of the total number of suicides or killings of innocent men, the vast majority of which happen due to domestic violence/emotional abuse, or unhealthy relationships.
In a society that portrays masculinity as synonymous with strength and stoicism, men are often discouraged from expressing their emotions, particularly those of sadness, fear, or despair. This “strong and silent” archetype has devastating consequences, leading men to internalize their struggles and suffer in silence.
Governments should recognise that there exist numerous obstacles that restrict men from seeking help or reporting such abusive experiences, with the main obstacle being the absence of any platform for men. Other barriers include but are not limited to – stigma, stereotypes, under-reporting of cases, not knowing who to report, and lack of awareness that it is abuse, or staying in the relationship for the sake of the family. Our society needs a platform where men can speak up about their circumstances since domestic violence against men is rampant and very prevalent and no government DV survey tries to capture that data.
Amid nationwide protests over Atul’s suicide, Daaman volunteers rocked Kanpur Half Marathon as a constant reminder of the situation and to call on governments to act to at least consider Men too as human.
The tragic suicide of Atul Shubash has shaken our nation to its core. His final note painfully highlighted the systemic harassment and extortion faced by men in judicial proceedings, particularly in matrimonial disputes. This is not an isolated incident but a grim reality for countless men across India—be it in Tier 1 cities, Tier 2 towns, or remote corners of our country.
For far too long, the system has been skewed, treating men as easy targets, while corruption and biases within the judicial framework have gone unchecked. The courage of some media channels in finally amplifying the voices of men is commendable, but this must not stop here.
It is high time the government takes a firm stance to:
A – Introduce gender-neutral laws that ensure fairness for all, irrespective of gender.
B – Strengthen safeguards against misuse of laws meant to protect.
C – Establish a judicial system that is human-centric, not just female-centric.
Let this be a wake-up call for policymakers and society alike. Justice must be for all, and individuals’ rights must not be sacrificed to uphold outdated norms or societal pressures.
In Kanpur Half Marathon, many people came up and took pictures of the banner with the helpline number expressing support for the cause. It’s wonderful that some people now understand how important it is to voice their opinions on these subjects, which were never discussed before.
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