UNDERSTANDING THE TRAGEDY OF ATUL SUBHASH: PERSPECTIVES AND LESSONS

The suicide of 34-year-old techie Atul Subhash in Bangalore has shocked and angered the nation. It is disturbing that someone would feel so tormented and hopeless, allegedly due to domestic violence by his ex-spouse.

- YUVRAJ POKHARNA

PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Without prematurely assigning blame, let us examine this tragedy through psychological, historical, legal, and philosophical perspectives to understand what happened and how such incidents can be prevented.

From a psychological perspective, what stands out about this suicide is the meticulous planning. Suicide is often a spontaneous act driven by overwhelming despair and defeat. However, in this case, Atul's act involved considerable contemplation and preparation, as seen in his 24-page suicide note, an hour-long video, and detailed checklists. He seemed to view his suicide not merely as an escape but as a way to free his family from their suffering and to highlight what he saw as the failings of the legal system.

Atul ascribed a higher purpose to his action, seeing it as a sacrifice for a larger cause. This reflects not just hopelessness but a calculated intent to make his tragedy a form of protest. Philosophical traditions describe actions in terms of three modes: sattvic (goodness), rajasic (passion), and tamasic (ignorance). While suicide is often categorized as tamasic because of its destructive nature, Atul's act was a mixture of modes, combining elements of calculated purpose and despair.

The philosophical context helps clarify the nature of such actions. Even seemingly noble activities like austerities can turn tamasic if they are destructive. Conversely, under certain conditions, actions like fasting to death might be seen as meaningful. Atul's calm deliberation before the act suggests that his decision was not a rash reaction but a deliberate attempt to spotlight his perceived grievances with the system.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE