For women, bullying and harassment are becoming as common as playground bruising. They have almost become normal and everyday.
But what’s absolutely worrying is the fact that our “celebrities” are at it too. Hrithik Roshan’s massive PR machinery didn’t miss a beat as it continued to hammer down on an ex with all sorts of allegations.
The words “mental disorder” were thrown around as if you could just catch it from a sneeze on a bus. Then, there’s the Abhijeet Bhattacharya, a playback singer who had to face the music after he abused a woman journalist online. It’s when we hear what the likes of Mr Bhattacharya have to say that we curse the fact there’s a Twitter, to every mind.
Actress Chitrangada Singh’s case comes up immediately. She walked out of a shoot last month after the director kept pestering her to reshoot an “intimate scene” — again and again. Dressed in a petticoat and tired of taking orders — which she knew were just for the eyeballs — she quit.
Almost every girl has a story to tell. From the unnecessary and absolutely creepy comments from a boss to the leering from that drunk across the street, life is an endless list of ugly, unforgettable incidents.
But then there are people of action who speak out. At a New Year’s Eve party in Dubai, an escort went up to one of her former clients at a bash hosted by a prominent Mumbai-based business family and asked for settlement of bills. Her tone got the attention of everyone around and point hit home — you just don’t take advantage of people.
An interior designer in Delhi was so tired of her estranged husband’s threats that she walked into a police station and lodged a complaint, filled with evidence revealing daily harassment. She told the cops if she was found dead, they don’t have to look far for a suspect and no, she wasn’t feeling suicidal. The two now live in separate rooms under the same roof and yes, he has been on his best behaviour.
Not everyone has found the best way to fight sleaze. It’s often wrapped in innocuous banter but it singes on impact - it’s actually a weapon. And fighting it immediately with every weapon in your arsenal is, recommended. Steel up, look him in the eye and bring the rain. Also, do not assume a police complaint is far-fetched because nothing in this fight is out of bounds.
