#MeToo strikes a chord despite limitations
There are certain parameters for news items like rape and harassments to be considered as newsworthy in the media. The incident should have happened in Delhi or some part of north India. Victims must be from upper middleclass and if they work in IT or BT it’d be even better. The news would get even more prominence if the survivors are working and belong to upper caste. That does not mean all other incidents are ignored. If media had paid equal or significant attention to all kinds of exploitations and harassments against women, things wouldn’t have come to this point. Media considers two kinds of news of exploitation of women, worthy of inside and cover pages. Because a certain group of people who are also journalists, believe women deserve bad treatment, the society has been viewing this social menace with dual standpoint.
If a Danamma has been raped and killed, police department would dismiss it as a result of ‘illicit relationship’. No hashtags appear in the social media. But if an upper middle class woman reveals the harassment she went through in her work place at the hands of a man, it becomes a cry of solidarity. And the result is there for all to see through MeToo movement. On one hand, while welcoming the success of MeToo, we also need to understand ways of extending it to be movement of all women in the country.
One thing we need to understand is, why has the media taken MeToo so seriously? It is because they are concerned about women and their rights or owing to the background of women who are part of this? If the women didn’t belong to upper middle class or rich people sharing details of the mental and physical harassment they underwent, MeToo wouldn’t have been this serious and such discussions wouldn’t have taken place on social media platforms.
In the world of celebrities and their occupations, discussions about casting couch has happened many a times. Many people have indicated if women want to progress in politics, or entertainment industry, they need to ‘cooperate’. It has also been part of social media discourse and discussion too. In the recent times, a senior politician had said this very candidly at a public event. Another politician had used this line of argument when Jayamala was made the lone minister in the current cabinet, asking what ‘favours’ she had offered to get this plum post. These ‘compromises’ are deemed pretty common in entertainment and political spaces. Even common people understand this well now. Hence when celebrities speak of the harassment they face, it is reported in the ‘entertainment’ section. Woman’s body is ‘entertainment’ (actor Silk Smita’s words) for the cinema industry and this cruely is so totally acceptable to us now.
A director will ask an actor such as Tanushree Dutta to strip and dance even if the script does not demand it. Thousands of people come together to watch it. How does one identify how she has been exploited even in the name of ‘performance’? The audience may not have touched her, but what about their animal instinct when they watch her dressed skimpily on the screen? Why is this not a basis for MeToo? Tanushree has spoken about the revolting touch she had to put up with Nana Patekar. The latter has denied all allegations. This does not absolve all the spectators from their guilt of having watched her on the screen though Tanushree has not complained against them. This problem exists on the very basis of cinema industry which thrives on a woman’s body. To restrict the argument very callously to Tanushree’s accusations would be doing injustice to a larger issue.
One thing has struck very clearly through MeToo. Woman’s suffering knows no bounds. Even if she exists in rich class, she remains a woman and has to perform all the duties as per the norms of that space. She has to face torture of being the woman. Since women of that space opened their voice, this issue has come to the mainstream. We have to appreciate all the celebrities who rendered their voice to MeToo. Through this, men who always took women for granted in media, police department, banks and courts have begun to fear the repercussions. This issue has turned into a middle class problem of working women. This is a good indication. Even if MeToo can give a small solace to working women, who face hell for being born women, this movement is successful. This movement started by Tarana Burke in 2008, should help empower women in working spaces and outside across all categories and classes in India beyond allegations and counter allegations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind
_vb_69.jpeg)
Amritsar (PTI): Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.
The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.
"The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.
The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.
He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi.
