Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 29: Widespread outrage has erupted over rape and death threats issued to actor and former MP Divya Spandana, popularly known as Ramya, following her Instagram post on the Renukaswamy murder case, in which Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa is the main accused.
The backlash, reportedly from Darshan’s supporters, has prompted both the Karnataka State Commission for Women and the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) to call for immediate legal action.
Last week, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Karnataka High Court’s decision to grant bail to Darshan, calling the move questionable and raising concerns over the handling of the case. Ramya had responded to this development on Instagram by sharing a news headline along with the caption:
"SC is a ray of hope for the common people of India — justice for the family of Renukaswamy."
Shortly after, her social media was flooded with misogynistic abuse, rape threats, and vulgar trolling, allegedly from Darshan's fanbase. Ramya responded by posting screenshots of several such messages and comments, stating: "No difference between Renukaswamy's messages and DBoss fans' messages. It’s because of trolls like this with a misogynistic mindset that women and young girls are subjected to harassment, rape and murder."
On July 28, Nagalakshmi Chowdary, chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, wrote to the Bengaluru City police commissioner urging him to launch an investigation and take strict action against the perpetrators.
“This kind of behaviour speaks volumes about the mentality of today’s generation. On one hand, we are fighting for justice for women, and on the other, we face people who abuse and threaten them online. I’ve written to the police commissioner asking for urgent intervention,” she said.
Meanwhile, FIRE, a collective representing the film industry’s voice for rights and equality, has written a formal letter to Home Minister G Parameshwara condemning the abuse and demanding accountability.
In the letter, FIRE strongly denounced the obscene and gendered online attacks targeting Ramya and stressed that such harassment is not only morally repugnant but also a criminal offence. The organisation reminded the government that freedom of expression (Article 19) is a fundamental pillar of Indian democracy, but that public discourse must remain civil and respectful, especially when engaging with differing views.
The letter cited violations under multiple legal provisions, including:
• Indian Penal Code Sections 499, 500 (defamation), 505(2) (statements promoting enmity), and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman)
• Relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, applicable to cybercrime and online abuse
"The hate-driven abuse being levelled against Ramya is an insult to democratic values. Online gendered violence is a punishable offence, and we urge the Karnataka Home Department and Cyber Crime Division to act without delay," the FIRE letter stated.
This incident has once again spotlighted the growing culture of online mob abuse, particularly targeting outspoken women in public life. Activists, legal experts, and civil society members have urged the state government to act decisively to protect women from cyberbullying, trolling, and threats, especially when they express views critical of public figures or politically sensitive cases.
While police are reportedly reviewing the complaints and screenshots submitted by Ramya, there has been no official statement yet from the Home Department regarding the steps being taken.
With pressure mounting from women’s rights bodies and industry voices, the case is being seen as a test of the state's commitment to tackling digital harassment and ensuring the safety of women in public and online spaces.