India's news channels turned Shefali Jariwala's death into spectacle and speculation
Think of Shefali Jariwala. The actress and model died suddenly of cardiac arrest last week in Mumbai. Think next of 40-year-old Asha in Bengaluru: her body was discovered in a garbage dump. Finally, think of Ridhanya in Chennai, who died by suicide due to alleged dowry harassment.
They say 'rest in peace,' but the dead in India hardly ever get any peace. On television news channels, in some newspapers, and on several digital platforms, victims of crimes or celebrities who die—even if from natural causes—are incessantly displayed and discussed, with minute details about their lives carelessly shared with the public.
Did Shefali die because of a dangerous combination in her kundali? (Times Now Navbharat)
Was Asha in an 'inebriated state'? Was her partner drunk before he reportedly killed her? (India Today).
And did you know that Ridhanya messaged her father on WhatsApp just before she reportedly killed herself, saying she was constantly harassed by her husband and in-laws? The Indian Express reported that instead of the 500 sovereigns promised in her dowry, 'only 300 sovereigns were handed over during the wedding…' (1 July).
Those who survive crimes don't fare much better, either. Especially women. Especially if it's a sexual assault.
Which brings us to the 'Kolkata Rape Case' (Republic TV). We have been treated to all the 'gruesome details' (Republic TV).
The law student said a former student, Monojit Mishra, and two others raped her on the college premises. She was 'dragged' to a room, 'brutalised and terrorised,' said Times Now, by a 'predator'.
The Times of India, Delhi edition (2 July), got more graphic. 'When the girl became breathless (she had a panic attack when the accused tried to confine and pin her down) she was provided the inhaler, not to revive her but to ensure that she regained her senses so they could assault her sexually,' the report said, quoting a police officer.
A 'second victim' of Mishra came forward and described being assaulted by him two years ago. She detailed her harrowing and horrific experience in an interview with India Today.
In a rather absurd, amusing twist, the BJP immediately appointed a fact-finding mission in the Kolkata rape case — a crime in 'Didi's domain' (Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal) always galvanises the party.
Most TV news channels told us with a straight face that the BJP 'wished to investigate the crime scene'. Now, which police force in the world will allow politicians to trample all over the crime scene?
Meanwhile, at least 17 people died in a 'massive explosion at pharma unit near Hyderabad,' read The Hindu's page 1 lead report on 1 July. Other newspapers reported the accident too, but TV news paid scant attention, if any at all.
News channels were too busy with 'Bharat ki beti under attack' (India Today) and the death of 'Glamour world ki Queen' Shefali Jariwala (Aaj Tak).
In this age of social media, video clips recorded on mobile phones, CCTV footage, over 390 news channels, and 3,700 digital media outlets, nothing is allowed to remain a mystery.
Also read: Shefali Jariwala's death spotlights world of anti-ageing treatments built on big claims, little science
Actor's death, non-stop speculation
Shefali Jariwala's sudden death has been attributed to heart failure. No mischief is suspected. However, her dying and the cause(s) of her death have animated news channels much more than the crimes mentioned above. 'Mystery shrouds Shefali Jariwala death,' said NDTV 24×7. 'Was Shefali's death natural?' the channel asked about the actor, remembered for gyrating so well in the 2002 remixed song 'Kaanta Laga'.
Jariwala's post-mortem report is still awaited but there's more speculation about the cause of her death than who the next BJP president will be.
Thus far, the news is that Shefali Jariwala had a sudden fall in blood pressure and died soon after. She was reportedly taking anti-ageing pills and was fasting on the day of her death.
TV channels suddenly found her 'kundali' suspect. Times Now Navbharat broadcast it as breaking news, saying podcaster Paras Chhabra had warned her (August 2024) on his show 'Abraa Ka Dabra' that Chandra, Ketu, and Buddh have come together as a negative force on her personality.
According to the anchor, that alignment could mean psychological impact and financial loss, among other things. Did that have something to do with her death, the channels wondered?
Stale food: This was another 'mystery'. On the day Shefali observed a religious fast, NDTV 24×7 reported that she apparently broke the fast by eating 'stale food'. CNN News 18 said 'food poisoning' cannot be ruled out.
The most popular theory is that her self-medication of anti-ageing pills, vitamin C, and other medicine, combined with the fasting, led to her death.
Well, no, 'stress' could also have had something to do with it. 'Was she in depression?' (NDTV India). A Times Now reporter informed us she suffered from epilepsy too. And maybe she had experienced 'heart symptoms long ignored by herself?'
Anti-ageing medication was the culprit, concluded most news channels. However, a panel of doctors on Aaj Tak challenged this conclusion, saying it was theoretically possible but…
'What ails young hearts?' asked the CNN News 18 anchor, referring to Shefali's death and four deaths due to heart attacks in Tamil Nadu's Hassan district.
Well, as one NDTV 24×7 reporter said about Shefali Jariwala's death: 'It is all a matter of investigation.' Or speculation.
The author tweets @shailajabajpai. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)
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