Meena Kandasamy, a self-proclaimed feminist and Dravidianist writer, faces fresh scrutiny as Dr. Dharmaraja Gunasekharan, her ex-husband, exposes her alleged misuse of feminist ideals to perpetuate false narratives—drawing parallels to the tragic case of Atul Subhash, whose suicide highlighted the devastating impact of legal harassment and societal manipulation.
Atul Subhash Suicide Case
The Atul Subhash suicide sent shockwaves across the country towards the end of 2024. Atul Subhash’s suicide note and video revealed a man pushed to the brink by relentless legal harassment. His estranged wife filed multiple cases against him, alleging various charges that he claimed were false. Despite his efforts to fight back, Atul felt trapped in a system that seemed stacked against him. His father and brother echoed his sentiments, stating that the legal system failed him, leading to his tragic decision to end his life.
After the chaos and buzz around this incident settled down, an open letter came from someone who was also wronged by the justice system in India.
Surprisingly, it was Dr Dharmarajan Gunasekharan, the former husband of Dravidian stock writer Meena Kandasamy, who allegedly claimed to be a Dalit and of mixed-caste origin, with her maternal grandparents being ‘lower-caste Shudras’ and her father being from a nomadic tribe.
Gunasekharan wrote an open letter to Atul Subhash, and the letter reveals many facets of the so-called activist Meena Kandasamy, who follows the great women’s empowerment ideals of the Dravidianist ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker, hailed as Periyar by his followers.
The letter exposes the hypocrisy and the double standards of the Dravidianists like Meena Kandasamy.
The Dharmaraja Gunasekharan Case
Dr. Dharmaraja Gunasekharan talks about his 13-year legal battle against false allegations by his ex-wife, writer, and activist Meena Kandasamy. Accused of dowry harassment, domestic violence, and even absurd claims like having relationships with 64 women, including his mother, Dharmaraja endured a nightmare that culminated in his mother’s suicide. Despite the overwhelming odds, he was eventually acquitted, but not without immense personal and emotional cost.
Dharmaraja’s case underscores how Dravidianists like Meena Kandasamy misused feminist rhetoric to craft narratives of victimhood, manipulate public opinion, and extract material gains.
Dharmaraja’s letter delves into the strategies employed by those who misuse the legal system. He identifies two primary tactics: crafting victimhood and exploiting it for material gain. The first tactic, crafting victimhood, involves presenting oneself as a perpetual victim to garner public sympathy and manipulate legal outcomes.
In his case, Dharmaraja’s ex-wife, writer and Dravidianist Meena Kandasamy, filed false allegations under Sections 498A (domestic violence) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. She accused him of unimaginable acts, including dowry harassment, physical abuse, and sexual violence. These allegations, Dharmaraja notes, were not only baseless but grotesque. For instance, she claimed he had relationships with 64 women, including his mother—a claim she later amended to her mother during cross-examination.
Dharmaraja explains how such narratives exploit the progressive spaces society has created for women to share their experiences. By presenting herself as a victim, his ex-wife was able to manipulate public opinion and gain credibility, even in the absence of evidence. This strategy, he argues, tarnishes the credibility of genuine survivors and erodes trust in the legal system.
The Role of Media In Amplifying False Narratives
Dharmaraja’s letter also highlights the role of media in perpetuating these false narratives. He recounts how his ex-wife’s allegations were amplified by selective media coverage, while his attempts to present his side of the story were often ignored. This bias, he argues, shifts the focus from truth to ideological affiliations, further muddying the waters and making it difficult for the accused to defend themselves.
“When I tried to clarify my side of the story, many outlets refused to publish my perspective while eagerly promoting hers,” Dharmaraja wrote. This imbalance, he notes, not only harms the accused but also undermines the credibility of genuine survivors who seek justice.
The second tactic Dharmaraja identifies is the exploitation of victimhood for material gain. Once the narrative of victimhood is established, the accuser often seeks financial or social benefits. In his case, Dharmaraja alleges that his ex-wife and her father attempted extortion during the legal proceedings. They spread falsehoods to isolate him socially and inflict maximum damage on his reputation and finances.
Kandasamy consistently tarnished his image on social media, even while the matter was still under judicial consideration. For example,
Dharmaraja’s mother, his staunchest supporter, tragically committed suicide the day after he collected the chargesheet. This loss, he says, was a direct result of the relentless harassment and social isolation he faced. Despite the overwhelming odds, Dharmaraja fought back, thanks to the support of friends, advocates who argued his case pro bono, and well-wishers who restored his faith in justice.
His few final words touch a raw nerve, especially when reading about the crooked mind of his ex-wife – “Mr Atul Subhash, I don’t believe in life-after-death, but if you ever get a chance to meet my mother, let her know this: a son of an army jawan father and an illiterate mother, hailing from a remote village, born into a lower middle-class backward community family, a first-generation graduate, and most importantly, a man who had no prior exposure to the legal system, was able to defeat the daughter of an IIT professor, an influential member of the media mafia, the self-claimed ex-lover of a sitting Member of Parliament, a proud secret member of an upper-caste casteist lobby, and a woman who could share breakfast with the sitting Minister of the ruling party. This victory is not just mine; it belongs to all those who persevere against the odds. Women like Ms. Kandasamy, who hide behind false feminism, may deceive the world for a while, but truth ultimately unmasks them.”
OPEN LETTER TO ATUL SUBHASH
From @meenakandasamy's Former Husband Dr Dharmaraja After His Acquittal U/s #498A
"My mother, my staunchest supporter, tragically committed suicide the day after I collected the chargesheet. Mr. Atul Subhash, I don’t believe in life-after-death, but… pic.twitter.com/443d0tDRwu
— Voice For Men India (@voiceformenind) January 15, 2025
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