Tanushree Dutta may have kickstarted the #MeToo movement in India, alleging Nana Patekar of assaulting and sexually molesting her nearly 10 years ago – but in doing so, she has also exposed the ‘victim-blaming’ mentality, which can so evidently be seen in the comments of those who are willing to question her character, before even listening to her.
After the likes of Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan dodged the questions related the ongoing controversy involving the two actors, a few other Bollywood names have come in support of Dutta in her plight to get justice.
The likes of Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhaskar, Renuka Shahne and Sonam Kapoor have all expressed the amount of courage Tanushree has showcased, despite a large number of people, calling her names and questioning her intentions without even given it an ear.
Here is how the responses have flown-in so far:
When our industry fails to stand for and protect its own.They get their chance and lose it.Makes our films on women empowerment hollow.The deafening silence on #TanushreeDutta case is sickening. remember the controversy breaking out .( part 1)
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) September 28, 2018
I believe #TanushreeDutta
Such people should be listened and admired. More power to you 👏 https://t.co/NLB3nQbZp7— Chitrangana Singh (@chitrangana98) September 28, 2018
To all the people making stupid insinuations about a ‘publicity stunt’ there are now two very credible witnesses with the same story #TanushreeDutta https://t.co/idbUSXaTbo
— kunal kapoor (@kapoorkkunal) September 28, 2018
Please read this thread before judging or shaming #TanushreeDutta a working environment without harassment and intimidation is a fundamental right and by speaking up this brave woman helps pave the way towards that very goal for all of us! https://t.co/f8Nj9YWRvE
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) September 28, 2018
Would just like to put this out there. An actor’s professional choices should not dictate how they get treated in the work place. All work places must be safe and fair.
If you’re bringing up an actors filmography to justify the harrasment they faced….you’re a piece of shit.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) September 28, 2018
Reporting abuse is traumatic. To be analyzed in public for it is torture. To have some bastard suggest the woman is doing it for attention is inhuman. You always give the victim benefit of the doubt. Enough with shaming! Innocent men will overcome any accusation! #TanushreeDutta
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) September 28, 2018
If a women speaks out about abuse, you listen. Even if it’s on her deathbed 50 years after the incident,you listen. If you ask why she didn’t speak earlier or you rush to dismiss her, the problem is with you. There will be investigation; but first, listen. Period. #TanushreeDutta
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) September 28, 2018
This should stop the speculation .. about the intention of the survivor https://t.co/1R9Zs12DIM
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 28, 2018
If my previous tweet sounds vague let me clarify it. This should stop the questioning of intention of Tanushree Datta because there is a witness account of what happened and @janiceseq85 is as credible as the come .
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 28, 2018
Please read this thread. We all know the reality of the power imbalance that exists in the workplace. Let us encourage these voices instead of shaming them so that others may have the strength to come forward. https://t.co/5NefCpWpCs
— Konkona Sensharma (@konkonas) September 28, 2018
Many of my co-workers,female and male have been harassed and bullied, but it’s their story to tell. If we don’t encourage their voices and instead vilify and question them, how will victims ever become survivors? Let them speak up! Stand up with them!
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
I agree too. Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something horrible and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them. @janiceseq85 #TanushreeDutta
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) September 28, 2018
I believe #TanushreeDatta and @janiceseq85 recollection of the account. Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s upto us to stand together. https://t.co/sF3mS5o1P8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
We must stop asking ‘what did you about it then’ and start asking ‘what can we do about it now’. It’s now or never.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) September 28, 2018
Some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with #TanushreeDutta on the sets of “Horn Ok Please” is one such incident – I was there. #NanaPatekar
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— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
It hurts to be #TanushreeDutta rn. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity.What happened to her on set was intimidation.Her only fault was she didn’t back down-takes a special courage to be #TanushreeDutta.
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) September 27, 2018
In hindsight – Tanushree had alleged Nana Patekar of inappropriately touching and harassing her on the sets of ‘Horn Ok Please’, which took place nearly 10 years ago. Tanushree also stated how despite voicing her complaint immediately after the incident, she was forced to step back, at that point.
Tanushree’s brave attempt to expose what happened in her case, would certainly help other victims of sexual abuse in the industry, speak out against their perpetrators.