By D.N. Singh
A news item read where the popular Bollywood star Ajay Devgan was found struggling with reasons to defend his case against an allegation made by Tanushree Dutta that why did Devgan starred film in which the #Mee Too accused actor Alok Nath’s scenes were not removed.
Following that Devgan in his defence has shot an explanation which appears to be extremely logical. So raising an issue over that again, as did Tanushree, has no basis. It appears like glossing the obvious for reasons not far to fetch. Limelight !
The ground on which this time has come on Devgan starred film in which Alok Nath is in , calls for a reason to know what is what before one fires at the other.
Though any such sexual harassment is grossly condemnable but no one should overdrive to make a point out certain unrealistic ground to showcase virtue.
How far such allegations are true is obviously a matter of trial that the so called accused has to face. That does not mean such trials should be tempered through media trials when a fear of a honest being subjected to the gallows can’t be jettisoned. Neither the trial process should be allowed to linger and keep the accused hanging in balance which can be worse than the punishment.
For example few professionals or artists or musicians in India are in limbo suffering a kind of social ostracisation pending the outcome of the trial is unfair and in case the trial finds the accused not guilty, then what ! “ At times women use sexual harassment tool to cover up their underperformance if any” said Naina Lal Kidwai, the ex CEO of HSBC, which is an important and worth noting.
And what has already happened that an excessive media bashing has by now deterred people keeping female staff in their organisations and there is always an apprehension that the reputation that have been built up over years, a single line from someone can finish it once for all.
What can’t be lost sight of is even the male employees can be sexually harassed by their female bosses or colleagues in an office. But given the laws on sexual harassment tilting predominantly in women’s favour, it would be difficult to guess that justice would come for the male in such a situation so easy.
It is time that a fool-proof mechanism must be in place through a legislative procedure or legal brain-storming to halt the perpetrators and the accusers also not to debase each other.
