Strong action without bias can only stop threat culture

Serum Institute of India`s CEO Adar Poonawalla gestures during a press conference in Pune. Pic/AFP

Adar Poonawalla has spoken out about the inordinate pressure he is facing from powerful men and aggressive phone calls he has received to ensure delivery of Covishield vaccine.

The Serum Institute of India boss has actually moved to the United Kingdom, and though some may say it has something to do with business, he is feeling unsafe in his own country.

There are calls for Poonawalla to name those who have threatened him or at least file a police complaint so that an investigation can begin. That he has not done so and moved to the UK, may be an indication of little faith in how this investigation unfolds, or simply, that he does not want to.

This though should not just pass; it must become a watershed moment in India. For too long, this country has the culture of intimidation. Threats and dadagiri are seen as part of the package. Activists are threatened and killed; citizens are intimidated by the powerful in their little hierarchy. One can only guess how entrenched this culture is by realising that one of the most powerful men has also received aggressive phone calls and, for whatever reason, is reluctant to complain or name those who have had the temerity to threaten him.

If a person of Poonawalla's stature can receive such intimidating phone calls, one can only imagine the plight of an ordinary citizen. We need to create a safety net for individuals who wish to complain and absolute punitive action against those who threaten.

It is only when people see that all are treated on a par, that the power balance does not shift this way or that, and the persons at the top whoever they may be, cannot get away with this, can we address and do away with threat culture.