I was in two minds about writing this article. The issue I wish to discuss today is complex with multiple layers and has been discussed in media endlessly on every channel and on internet. The shocking news of actress Jiah Khan's suicide was deeply saddening. The drastic step this young and promising girl took makes me shudder to think about what must have really happened that she gave up and surrendered to despair?
It is heartbreaking that a precious life is lost abruptly due to failure in handling rejection! There are some very disturbing questions that stir up my mind when I think about Jiah Khan's suicide or many similar tragic cases from recent past.
How does our law define "abetment to suicide"?
Views of the Supreme Court Of India on Abetment of suicide- Section 306 IPC;
"306. Abetment of suicide - "If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term for which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine."
"Abetment" involves a psychological process of instigating a person or deliberately helping a person in committing suicide. The elements that can qualify to prove a crime or disapprove it do not seem to be clear. The law and its explanation need to be revisited as it appears dangerously ambiguous and is often misinterpreted and misused. Is it fair to apply straitjacket formula to all such cases?
What is wrong with us as society?
Fame is undoubtedly one of the heady spaces of existence. Jiah Khan's suicide is not only about love story gone wrong that creates tragic spaces of defeat in the mental landscape but also about dangerous desperation to stay in Bollywood, have that “perfect” relationship at any cost even if it means being abused or not respected in relationship. I fail to understand that obsession for love, that craving for attention to feel "worthy"! It is beyond my comprehension to accept that someone like Jiah Khan, who had got some recognition and a few enviable breaks in Bollywood could give up on life for unrequited love!
What is wrong with us as society? We raise our children on staple diet of ideas about "perfect" life from Bollywood and media that is selling us designer dreams 24/7, telling us about "success" and "failures"! What we often miss out is the blatant desperation in feign boldness that we are bombarded with every single day. Hundreds of people lay vulnerable by extreme need to be successful ("under any cost") in Bollywood.
Sadly, the fast paced circuit of media and Bollywood feels its self-worthiness from its fleeting flash bulb moments and page three photo opportunities instilling within a make-believe "celebrity" status where being noticed becomes a feel good factor and the relationships also equally become part of the throw away life style adopted as “avid consumers’ of life’s rewards that can be easily bought.
Need for emotional intelligence
The sensitivity in each person is uniquely different. Some people are hyper sensitive to ordinary discords and differences that happen in our everyday life while some are brilliant at handling toughest of the challenge without losing balance.Why does an independent girl who had experienced some recognition at a young age feels worthy only if her love is reciprocated? There is something seriously wrong in that thinking.
The feeling of self worth is a result of delicate balance of knowing, loving, respecting and accepting oneself and having courage to be self critical. We all wish to be loved, cared for, understood and there is nothing wrong in wanting it. One of the best gifts of life is to have someone in your life who truly loves you. But if that doesn't happen, it is not end of life! There is much more to life than finding love, getting married, having children and having a "perfect" life.
A worthy life is a holistic one that mediates peace within oneself by understanding and maturity. Our existence becomes meaningful only when we live life with responsibility and celebrate it instead of searching for reasons to drown ourselves.
R.I.P Jiah Khan! Wish you gave life some chance.
What is wrong with us as society?
Fame is undoubtedly one of the heady spaces of existence. Jiah Khan's suicide is not only about love story gone wrong that creates tragic spaces of defeat in the mental landscape but also about dangerous desperation to stay in Bollywood, have that “perfect” relationship at any cost even if it means being abused or not respected in relationship. I fail to understand that obsession for love, that craving for attention to feel "worthy"! It is beyond my comprehension to accept that someone like Jiah Khan, who had got some recognition and a few enviable breaks in Bollywood could give up on life for unrequited love!
What is wrong with us as society? We raise our children on staple diet of ideas about "perfect" life from Bollywood and media that is selling us designer dreams 24/7, telling us about "success" and "failures"! What we often miss out is the blatant desperation in feign boldness that we are bombarded with every single day. Hundreds of people lay vulnerable by extreme need to be successful ("under any cost") in Bollywood.
Sadly, the fast paced circuit of media and Bollywood feels its self-worthiness from its fleeting flash bulb moments and page three photo opportunities instilling within a make-believe "celebrity" status where being noticed becomes a feel good factor and the relationships also equally become part of the throw away life style adopted as “avid consumers’ of life’s rewards that can be easily bought.
Need for emotional intelligence
The sensitivity in each person is uniquely different. Some people are hyper sensitive to ordinary discords and differences that happen in our everyday life while some are brilliant at handling toughest of the challenge without losing balance.Why does an independent girl who had experienced some recognition at a young age feels worthy only if her love is reciprocated? There is something seriously wrong in that thinking.
The feeling of self worth is a result of delicate balance of knowing, loving, respecting and accepting oneself and having courage to be self critical. We all wish to be loved, cared for, understood and there is nothing wrong in wanting it. One of the best gifts of life is to have someone in your life who truly loves you. But if that doesn't happen, it is not end of life! There is much more to life than finding love, getting married, having children and having a "perfect" life.
A worthy life is a holistic one that mediates peace within oneself by understanding and maturity. Our existence becomes meaningful only when we live life with responsibility and celebrate it instead of searching for reasons to drown ourselves.
R.I.P Jiah Khan! Wish you gave life some chance.
