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Shifting Standards: The Ongoing Battle Against Sexual Harassment
Recent events have sparked a wave of outrage online, particularly surrounding the controversial behavior of a veteran filmmaker. One user captured the sentiment succinctly, asking, “Why does this old man always try to touch?” Yet, before the backlash could fully coalesce, defenders rushed to his aid, citing his legendary status in the industry. They reminded us that at 84, he might be excused from understanding appropriate boundaries, while others questioned why actresses would embrace him afterward if his actions were indeed inappropriate. This reasoning fails to acknowledge the significant power dynamics at play, where actors may feel compelled to appear cordial with influential figures like him.
A similar controversy erupted in May 2024 at a promotional event for *Gangs of Godavari*, where actor Nandamuri Balakrishna forcefully shoved his co-star Anjali, causing her to stumble. Despite the incident, Anjali later posted videos of herself playfully interacting with him, and the film’s producer attempted to downplay the situation. When questioned about a liquor bottle at Balakrishna's feet, he dismissed it with claims of CGI. The public outrage instead shifted to Anjali, who faced criticism for her laughter in the aftermath, highlighting a familiar pattern where victims are often blamed.
Time and again, women are pressured to provide proof of harassment, as society often refuses to take their word at face value. Even those who consider themselves allies sometimes argue that without solid evidence, a woman’s claims lose credibility. However, this demand for proof often serves to protect the accused rather than seek justice. Even when evidence is available, it is frequently dismissed or reinterpreted, shifting the standards for what constitutes valid proof and rendering the goalposts in this discourse perpetually movable.
The Struggles of Women in the Face of Systemic Doubt
The Justice Hema Committee in Kerala, established after the abduction and assault of a prominent actress in 2017, illustrates this troubling trend. After years of testimony and a comprehensive 235-page report detailing the casting couch culture, the state government sat on the findings for nearly five years. Even when the report finally resurfaced in 2024, key names were blacked out, and objections arose regarding the necessity for individual women to pursue cases to validate their claims.
For some women, the only recourse left is to use their smartphones as tools for accountability. In January, Shimjitha Musthafa shared a video accusing a man named Deepak of groping her on a crowded bus, only to face severe backlash after his subsequent suicide. She was then subjected to threats and vilification, underscoring the severe risks women face when they speak out. Similarly, in 2023, actress Nandita Sankara filmed a man who was caught masturbating beside her, only to be scrutinized for her past choices rather than the man’s actions.
The Relentless Cycle of Blame and Denial
This cycle of doubt and defense extends beyond individual incidents. In 2019, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi faced sexual harassment allegations but insisted it was a conspiracy against him. Women wrestlers protesting against federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023 were told by celebrated athlete PT Usha that they were damaging the nation’s reputation. Meanwhile, RK Pachauri, accused of misconduct, attributed incriminating messages to hacking. The refrain is consistent: rather than addressing the accusations, the focus shifts to discrediting the women involved.
Ultimately, the issue lies not in the lack of proof but in the refusal to believe women. The culture of doubt enables powerful figures to evade accountability, perpetuating a system where women’s voices are marginalized. As long as society continues to prioritize skepticism over empathy, the fight against harassment will remain an uphill battle.
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