News item “MeToo storm” etc on page 23 of Asian Voice dated 13-10-2018, was not astounding. Stage / film acting by ladies was frowned upon since long. To avoid scandal, boys and men were dressed as girls and women. For investigating scandals and sexual harassment, Women at Work act of 2013, was enacted.
The Women at work Act clearly lays down procedure to create an investigating panel headed by a woman and with 50% women and one impartial outsider. Victims forget this Act and indulge in this name, blame and shame game. Therefore this “MeToo” allegations is storming many fields besides Bollywood.
Conspiracy theories prevail that victims are instigated, paid and encouraged by vicious anti national interests to be vociferous. Trial by press has occurred. Flouting this Act and rapid spread of salacious details will take its toll of heads.
Loud protests by bold, high profile women has dented holier than thou ethos of patriarchal Bollywood and other occupations. Fortunately A-lister personalities have acknowledged pain and anguish of those who has emerged out in the open. A-listers have distanced away from culprits. Let us hope that wiser counsel will prevail amid furor of name, blame, shame tsunami.
However it is unfair to drag cases that occurred more than 10 years ago, when culprit might have acted under youthful spirit. Yet all such indiscretions must be named, blamed, shamed and punished. Code of conduct towards women artists must be revamped and firmly implemented. Few drops of testosterone is no excuse for decent men to become male animal.
Ramesh Jhalla
By email
