The #ME TOO movement
across the country has got its first major victim, Union Minister M.J.
Akbar. The list of accused consists of
people from different industries, including the Film fraternity. Though, we cannot single out one segment for
its excesses, it is clear that we were under the wrong impression that these
things happen only in the Film Industry.
Whoever started the #ME
TOO movement needs to be applauded for their initiative. The women who have come forward ii exposing this
unpardonable act need to be appreciated and respected. One needs to understand the deep scar these
women have been carrying with them. Most
of them have moved forward in life since these incidences happened to
them. They have a lot of lose and still
they came out in the open, risking their family pride. They have proved beyond doubt that
self-respect and self-esteem are more important.
In a country where we
worship women Gods (Goddesses), take pride in talking about the tales of Rani
Laxmi Bai, how low have some of the men stooped in treating women. Even after India got independence, the women
were confined to their homes. Gradually,
few women stepped out of their homes to work in the mid-1960s. Though working women were looked at
differently by the society, the work place was decent enough. The difficulties they faced in those days
were restricted to sarcastic comments suggesting that women cannot do a certain
task. In some places, women were treated
below par at work place. But the men
during that times did not cross the Laxman Rekha. At the end of it all, deep inside, they had
the sympathy and respect for the Women.
The Indian culture was still alive and burning.
The opening up of
economy by the then Finance Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh brought home lot of
Multi-nationals and that provided lot of opportunities for Women to establish
their rightful careers. This brought in
a sea of change in the working environment.
It became more vibrant and colorful; in all sense. The wicked men in positions, had a lot of
offer to entice women to their advantage.
The Indian Culture and the respect for women started taking a dip.
Few men of this country
have made all of us ashamed. But it
cannot be taken lightly just because it is only few in number. It is a symptom. We cannot blame the education or western
culture for this. Most of the present
accused of this #ME TOO campaign is well educated. It is the attitude that has to change. In many places women are treated as soft
targets.
The silent pokes,
peeps, winks and the brushes have become common at work places,
now-a-days. There are still lot of women
who go through this everyday and are worried about their careers. Many are worried about their identity being
exposed as well. If the accused files a
defamation case, the court of law would look for evidence. Beyond this they cannot do much. Will anyone engage into such acts with
evidence? The change has to come from
within; from every man. They need
understand that women are not an object of entertainment at work. The women
need respect at work, at home and in the society.
Till the women of this
country are safe, more such #ME TOO waves need to come up and expose such acts
of men.
(The above article was written for publication in Oct. 2019 issue of PRINCE'S VOICE - A Community eMagazine)
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