Years later, the debate over whether physical violence between romantic partners can ever be justified has resurfaced following an incident on popular television reality show Bigg Boss Bangla.
The controversy has dominated social media since last week, with a large section of netizens applauding the show's makers for evicting television actor Nandini Dutta after she was caught slapping her boyfriend and fellow contestant Rajveer Dey on multiple occasions.
For the uninitiated, Nandini and Rajveer entered into a romantic relationship during their participation in the show.
Nandini Dutta's Diwali post. Photo: Nandini Dutta Instagram
Nandini’s second stint in the Bigg Boss house ends controversially
Nandini, who was initially eliminated through public voting on November 1, was brought back into the Bigg Boss house by the makers two days later.
While the November 1 episode was marked by Rajveer's dramatic emotional breakdown following Nandini's elimination, her second exit over the weekend was accompanied by public humiliation.
Seated beside Rajveer Dey (L), Nandini Dutta (R) pleading before host Sourav Ganguly for a chance. Photo: Screen-grab
Although Nandini had an opportunity to make the most of her second chance, her stint was largely marked by angry outbursts against Rajveer, culminating in repeated acts of physical aggression.
In multiple video clips, Nandini was seen slapping Rajveer despite his repeated warnings against physical confrontation, which is considered a serious violation of the show's rules.
“Do not touch me, I am telling you the last time. Get my point?” a visibly frustrated Rajveer told Nandini at one point as their confrontation escalated.
Her subsequent eviction was preceded by widespread public anger, with several netizens questioning the apparent double standards surrounding gender and domestic violence.
While her November 1 elimination through public voting was relatively graceful, her second departure lacked dignity.
Sourav Ganguly calls Nandini’s behaviour ‘uncivilised’ and ‘toxic’
Show host Sourav Ganguly did not mince words while reprimanding Nandini, describing her as “undeserving” of the show and her actions as “unpardonable”.
“What has happened over the last one week is an uncivilised behaviour. It's toxic,” Ganguly said on the weekend episode 'Dadar Darbar'.
At one point, he also highlighted the consequences a male contestant would have faced for similar behaviour.
“If it was a male participant instead of Nandini, I would have asked Bigg Boss to grab him by his collar, throw him out of the house and send him back to Kolkata on a train. I would have asked to deny him a plane even,” Ganguly thundered.
Sourav Ganguly reprimanding Nandini Dutta on the weekend episode. Photo: Screen-grab
When Ganguly asked her to leave the house immediately, Nandini broke down and pleaded for another opportunity.
“Dada, please don't do this to me. Please give me another chance,” she said with folded hands.
Nandini’s parents defend her behaviour, trigger fresh backlash
The debate surrounding toxic relationships gained further momentum when Nandini's parents appeared to defend their daughter's behaviour.
Reacting to her actions against Rajveer, her father, Sandip Dutta, said the behaviour was not unusual and that she acted similarly at home whenever she became angry.
“This is not new. It happens in every family and in all equations. She even behaves similarly at home when she gets angry. When her mother comes to feed her, she tries to push it aside. It's her habit,” he said.
Although Nandini admitted her mistake inside the house, she subsequently maintained in several post-eviction interviews that her biggest mistake was forgetting that she was under constant camera surveillance.
“I made a mistake and paid the price for it,” she said.
Men’s right activist highlights violence against men
Speaking to Aaj Kal Dot In, men's right activist Nandini Bhattacharjee argued that domestic violence is not one-sided, pointing out that men can also face physical abuse at the hands of women but often remain silent because of ego and societal perceptions that portray women as goddesses.
Lauding the show's makers for evicting Nandini over her conduct, Bhattacharjee said the decision was particularly significant ahead of International Men's Day, observed on November 19.
“November 19 is International Men's Day, and this is the month dedicated to men. It was heartening to see a woman being evicted from a reality show for physically assaulting a man. Perhaps this is the outcome of years of activism.
“Many men silently endure abuse at the hands of their girlfriends or wives for years, out of shame or fear of their relationships falling apart. I believe something similar may have happened in Rajveer's case as well,” she said.
Men's right activist Nandini Bhattacharjee. Photo: Nandini Bhattacharjee Instagram
Activist questions Nandini’s upbringing
Bhattacharjee also criticised Nandini's parents for attempting to justify their daughter's actions, questioning the values she might have grown up witnessing.
“Nandini's parents are making absurd arguments in an attempt to defend their daughter. They are saying that such things are normal and can happen. This raises the question of what the girl has grown up witnessing since childhood.
“This is something worth reflecting on. Such behaviour stems from a distorted mindset. This was not an accidental act; it is part of her nature, and she may repeat the same behaviour again,” she added.