MP Subramanian Swamy of the Bharatiya Janta Party has run his mouth off again, this time targeting people living with mental health issues. In conversation with ANI News, he lashed at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, calling her a violent bipolar woman.
Vadra, who has taken up the Congress post of General Secretary in Uttar Pradesh East, recently made her political debut. Some say she has her grandmother Indira Gandhi’s shoes to fill, while others are comparing her against her brother Rahul Gandhi. Swamy, on the other hand, makes disgusting comments about her mental health.
“She has a disorder of bipolarity,” was his awkwardly phrased jibe. “She beats up people. Her ailment does not make her fit to lead a public life. The public should know when she is likely to lose mental balance.”
Wow.
I have bipolar disorder. I’ve been living with it for years now. It was a struggle to speak about it until I had the right kind of support. To see it come up in the news like this saddens me.
And there are five solid reasons why Swamy’s words aren’t just hurtful but totally unacceptable.
1: Dragging Out Someone’s Personal Struggle
Whether or not Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) is none of our business. There is absolutely no mention of her being bipolar, but Subramanian Swamy thinks he is privy to this information. And instead of respecting her privacy and dignity, he decides to mudsling on a public platform. After all, we can’t really expect better from the man who ‘hates the gays’, and is practically frothing at the mouth about the Ram Mandir.
2: Textbook Sexism
Not only is Swamy displaying his ableism (the belief that people with a mental health disorder are incompetent, or not worthy of respect), he resorts to the classic insult of calling a woman crazy. From the ancient Greeks to Trump supporters today, people have created the myth that ‘madness and womanness’ are two sides of the same coin. The word “hysteria” (from the Greek word for “uterus”) continues to describe behaviour outside a prescribed norm.
Slapping the word “crazy” on a woman has always been an excellent way for the patriarchy to discredit and silence us. “Oh don’t listen to her, she’s crazy“.
3: Persisting Myths About Bipolar Disorder
A study done by Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet found that “the over-representation of individuals with bipolar disorder in violent crime statistics is almost entirely attributable to concurrent substance abuse.”
Heavy dependence on drugs, alcohol or other substances can trigger an episode of aggression. In other words, there is a small percentage of substance-dependent bipolar patients who act out. The focus is always on them, not on the folks who are successfully (and with help) managing their disorder.
So, no Mr. Swamy, your belief that “bipolars beat up people” is plain wrong. And suggesting that one should confine themselves and their disorder to their home? Not only does the statement ring with the patriarchal proverb “women belong in the house”, clinical psychologist Shilpi Banerjee says Swamy’s words don’t stick. “People with BPAD can absolutely lead a public life,” she tells YKA. “Some of the most brilliant people of our times have had bipolar and that in no way lessened their achievement!”
People with bipolar are not dangerous. But misinformation is.
4: First Impressions
This is perhaps the first time I’ve seen the word “bipolar” in the news. And look at how it’s been portrayed! Banerjee, who says she is extremely angry with Swamy’s remark, notes that “When mental health professionals, social workers, and members of society are trying so hard to raise awareness about mental health and end stigma, to have this sort of a comment in this time is terribly callous! Especially coming from someone who is widely read by others.”
When public perception of ‘mental illness = danger’ persists, we are more likely to disengage from and vilify a person, than to support them and care for their wellbeing.
5: A Serious Accusation
One does not simply accuse a person of violent acts. We get it, you want to demoralise your opponents before the General Elections. But seriously?
In the same league as commenting on a woman’s sexual history to degrade her, calling Vadra “bipolar” is uncalled for. It is irrelevant either to Swamy or Vadra’s work, position, or capabilities.
Banerjee raises the concern that Swamy’s “comments can be interpreted by lay folks to mean that anybody with bipolar is incapable.” A person without BPAD is not “better”. When I look at people around me, I realise that they don’t have to overcome half the challenges that I do.
Just as it’s unacceptable to question a person’s competence on the basis of their economic background, their gender, their sexuality (yeah, Ramdev, I’m looking at you) or their disability, it’s unacceptable to do this to someone with a difficult disorder.
Mr. Swamy, shouldn’t you focus more on the 78 ministers in Modi’s cabinet who have criminal cases against them than your cheap election tactics.
You Do You, Priyanka!
BPAD can be particularly debilitating, especially if you are unable to seek treatment. The disorder messes with your memory, your sleep, your moods, and even your appetite. It can be difficult to get through it without help. But people do it.
To me, the idea that a woman with bipolar disorder can hold a high rank is so, so, so encouraging. Carrie Fisher, of Star Wars fame, had BPAD. The outstanding impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh had BPAD. Celebrated feminist writer Virginia Woolf had BPAD. And if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is a woman living with bipolar disorder, then I’m happy to draw inspiration from her, just as I do from the others.