The #Metoo movement has finally hit India. From an actress who unwittingly regurgitated a ten year old case against a senior actor to many more young girls coming forward with their own tales of abuse and harassment, it has been a litany of complaints against rich and powerful men at the top of their game, be it in films, journalism or politics.
It is no surprise that this kind of abuse occurred. After all, in a country like India which is trenchantly patriarchal, women have only ever been seen as secondary to men. To those women who chose to enter films, unless they had their own protection in the guise of a powerful boyfriend or family, they were ripe for the plucking. Besides, these men knew how to use their status and money to intimidate and overpower, much like Harvey Weinstein did in Hollywood.
However, times have changed. Young Indian women are no longer willing to put up and shut up as the previous generations did. It took one lone voice. One girl who challenged the status quo and once again the ball was set rolling. The difference this time was that the climate was conducive to the naming and shaming of these perpetrators. People were willing to listen and people were outraged enough to demand redressal.
Yet, astonishingly, there were also many voices of dissent. Voices that questioned the veracity of the claims. Voices that insinuated that it was a fame game. That these girls wanted the notoriety to be able to get more work or find a foothold in the notoriously fickle film industry. That women who were attacking journalists and politicians had their own agendas of revenge and retribution. Sour grapes and all.
Why, I wondered, was there such a backlash against women who were willing to go through the public mauling of their characters just so these wolves in sheeps clothing could be outed? Why, I wondered, were so many of the fingers pointing at these women belonging to women themselves?
The jokes that abounded were plentiful and tasteless to an extreme. Jokes that showed disclaimers at the start of a film saying ‘No women were harmed in the making of this movie’ just as you would about animal cruelty. Jokes that talked about powerful men quaking in their boots at the thought of false accusations being brought against them. Jokes that talked about marital rape and the grey areas of what constituted consent.
Here’s the thing: suddenly the very foundation of Indian society is being questioned. Men, who have for years taken their position in society for granted are being asked to reassess their own actions and attitudes. Women, who have perhaps put up with their own share of harassment, are unwilling to support these young women for fear of their hypocrisies and double standards coming to light. Status quo is a very difficult thing to let go of. Status quo protects and hides and allows things to carry on as they were.
The accusers have been denigrated, slapped with injunctions and made fun of. Counter accusations asking why it’s taken them all this time to come forward, have been levelled at them. Why? Would you come forward if all you were met with is opposition, disbelief and a destruction of your career? The fact that it has taken them all this time is indicative that the culture of abuse is widespread and has deep roots.
To those women who have boldly iterated that they would NEVER have put up with any kind of abuse, that they would have slapped the assailant in the face and walked out and that they would not have returned to further abuse, I ask- look back in your past and see how many times you have bowed to patriarchal pressure to be a certain way, act a certain way or follow the dictates of your father, your husband or your in laws and tell me, in all honesty, whether you really had the courage to stand up for yourself?
As for the men who stand against these women, I ask- is it fear that makes you doubt and question? Is it fear that some long forgotten skeleton rattling in your cupboard might fall out? Is it fear of losing the respect of your family and of society, because suddenly, you are being exposed for the predatory monster that you are?
If it is, then be very very afraid. For this movement is catching and gathering momentum. After every #Metoo comes #Timesup. The actions of these brave young women may well destroy their own lives and careers, but they are paving the future for the generations to come. Where all women feel empowered and emboldened enough to stand up for not just themselves but also for their sisterhood. Where they forge ahead in their careers without being subjected to any kind of sexual harassment or power play. Where they stand shoulder to shoulder with the men in their lives and patriarchy becomes a distant, distasteful phenomenon discussed only in the most academic way. Yes, that day will come and it will come on the back of the actions of the brave few who ventured forward with the truth of their experiences.
Are you scared yet?
