When men advocate patriarchy, they may be simply trying to protect their own power. That’s what patriarchy mostly does to them. What is it when women do it – by slut-shaming, irrationally treating other women in an inhuman manner, or just advocating patriarchal thought process of judging independent and outspoken women? Yes, there’s the centuries’ old patriarchy beaten into their heads and that need to seek validation from patriarchal men. But, you, too, are a woman. Unless you were miraculously lucky your entire life, you must have realized the second-grade treatment women are given. An actor filed a rape case against filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, days after accusing him of sexual assault. However, in her video where she first blamed Anurag, she also named Richa Chadha, Huna Qureshi and Mahie Gill in a derogatory manner.
The three woman actors have issued statements distancing themselves from the allegations, slamming the way their names were unnecessarily dragged in the matter.
While her allegations must not be brushed aside in the name of agenda, political or otherwise, it is imperative that we restrict such loose talk when it comes to dragging the names of women (and even the accuser ain’t alleging them to be perpetrators).
In a society like ours, coming out and speaking about a sexual assault or misbehaviour is a challenge in itself, given the victim shaming we indulge in. And that’s why it is important for each allegation – no matter how trivial it may sound, no matter how ‘unlike the gentleman I know’ the accused is – be taken at face value and invested into properly. However, for the very same reason, it is also important that women maintain the decorum of respecting this entire ME Too movement seriously.
Despite the degamatorto manner in which other names were dragged, I would like to believe the complaint and allegations are not part of any larger conspiracy. I believe she is genuine and true to herself while levelling all these allegations. To my understanding, there can be two reasons to her naming the others actors. Firstly, she may genuinely believe they were also at the receiving end of sexual assault or misconduct. In that case, best way of getting justi e for them would have been to personally reach out to each one of them and extend support.
Secondly, she may believe that this is how the industry works – you got to appease bosses in order to get work. While power politics and sexual exploitation equally applies to a sectors, this is the option where she can be seen using patriarchy to slam patriarchy. Naming the other three actors was actually about slut-shaming them with claims that their work has nothing to do with talent. And that is the worst assumption you can make for anyone. Here, you talk of three established artists (not big do you say? Well, your box office numbers are no proof of an actor’s talent).
These three actors have even been recognized world over for their work. So anyone thinking on those lines, just stop right away. PLEASE.
Women have the freedom and reserve the right to be heard and in cases such as sexual misconduct at a workplace, all thorough investigations must be done before passing any kind of judgment. But as woman, be sensitive towards fellow sisters who may or may not have gone through something similar. Let them find their own courage to come out and speak, if at all there is something to speak against.
Do not become a woman trying to mansplain another woman’s problems to her. Respect their authority over their own lives, choices, and the battles they wish to fight.