A software engineer has sparked a debate online by advising young couples and bachelors to avoid high-rise residential societies, citing frustrating encounters with Resident Welfare Association (RWA) members he described as being on a "power trip." The engineer, Shravan Venkataraman, shared his negative experiences, which included disputes over security lapses and alleged arbitrary rule enforcement.
Security Concerns and RWA Confrontation
Venkataraman detailed an incident that escalated after a theft at his home. Following the incident, he requested CCTV footage through the residents' group, only to be informed by the RWA manager that the security cameras were not functional—a discovery made only after his complaint. Concerned about the security vulnerability, he posted a warning in the residents' WhatsApp group, suggesting that others install personal security cameras.
Instead of addressing the security issue, Venkataraman alleged that the RWA president and vice president summoned him to the clubhouse. There, he claims, they confronted him aggressively for making the complaint public. He quoted the vice president as dismissively stating, "Today, you say costly Birkin slippers are stolen, tomorrow you'll say underwear got stolen, or shirt got stolen, for all that we can't help or cater to finding those items." Venkataraman asserted that he refused to tolerate their tone and subsequently exited the society's WhatsApp group.
"Power Trip" Allegations and Arbitrary Rules
The engineer highlighted what he perceived as a broader issue of RWA members exerting excessive control. He recounted another incident involving a woman tenant whose dog accidentally brushed against a car. The car owner reportedly escalated the matter by involving the police and later filed a complaint alleging car damage, leading to further police visits to the tenant's home.
Venkataraman emphasized that these incidents underscore issues within gated communities, including alleged overreach by some RWA members and unequal treatment of tenants. He claimed that certain residents "think they can order everyone around with arbitrary rules according to their convenience and everyone should follow it."
Advice for Young Residents
Based on his experiences, Venkataraman strongly recommended that young couples and bachelors avoid high-rise apartments. Instead, he suggested opting for smaller housing societies, specifically "G+3 [or] G+4 type places," which he believes offer a less restrictive living environment and fewer instances of alleged RWA interference.