Television actress Kanika Mann has spoken about the physical and emotional abuse she allegedly faced during her first relationship, recalling a disturbing incident in which her former boyfriend slapped her so hard that her recently pierced ears began bleeding.
Sharing her experience with fellow contestants on Bigg Boss, Kanika said she had not been in a relationship until Class 12. Her first year of college in Chandigarh brought a sense of freedom, but she eventually entered a relationship largely because she felt she was missing out on an experience others around her seemed to be having.
She said she created a Facebook account and the first boy who showed her some attention became her boyfriend. However, she later described him as abusive and controlling.
Recalling one incident, Kanika said he unexpectedly arrived at her classroom and slapped her in front of people in the corridor because she was wearing a striped suit. Her ears, which she had recently got pierced, began bleeding. She said nobody came forward to intervene.
She also alleged that he would take away her phone, throw it into a crowd and even discard the keys to her hostel room to restrict her movements. On another occasion, he threatened to contact her father and reveal their relationship as a way of pressuring her.
Kanika said the situation escalated during a confrontation when her former boyfriend followed her from the hostel to her college department. She alleged that he grabbed her hand and pulled her before taking out a knife and cutting his own wrist several times. She said she feared he could also harm her.
The actress recalled seeking help from an acquaintance, Arjun, who called the police. Officers arrived within minutes, and her former boyfriend was taken into custody, remaining in jail for two to three days, according to her account.
Kanika said his relatives subsequently contacted and threatened her, adding that she had been frightened about the consequences of speaking out. She credited her family for supporting her when she eventually shared what had happened.
Known for television shows such as Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega and Chand Jalne Laga, Kanika has also appeared in Punjabi films and music videos.
