Aamir Liaquat, Mahira Khan and other celebrities take on Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar
The Lahore High Court’s recent decision to throw away a petition trying to block Aurat March 2020 has been hailed by many as support for equal rights for all. However, some men, like Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar have been severely triggered by the decision.
The verbal abuse on live TV by Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar has been met with condemnation from most literate circles of the country.
People expressed their solidarity with Marvi, the female journalist who was abused by the writer, and condemned Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar for not being able to keep his cool.
Solidarity with @marvisirmed – shameful, unacceptable conduct by someone who claims to be a 'writer')
( P.S. this guy needs professional help. The least TV channels can do is to ban him from the screens.)— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) March 3, 2020
More power to @marvisirmed. In solidarity with you! #MERAJISMMERIMARZI #understandtheslogan https://t.co/ykWM3fAxt7
— Najia Ashar (@najiaashar) March 4, 2020
Pakistani celebrities, led by Aamir Liaquat and Mahira Khan are speaking up against Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar being given the platform to air his abusive remarks
خلیل الرحمن قمر کا فرعونی انداز دیکھ کر مولائے کائنات سیدنا علی المرتضی کرم اللہ وجہہ الکریم کا یہ قول مبارک پھر سامنے آگیا
“طاقت، دولت، شہرت اور اختیار (یا اقتدار)
انسان کو بدلتے نہیں
بے نقاب کردیتے ہیں@marvisirmed #khalil #marvi #khalilurrehmanqamar— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) March 4, 2020
I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on tv is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking! #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 4, 2020
Other celebrities, alongside Aamir Liaquat and Mahira Khan who’ve spoke up against Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar, are industry stalwarts like Sanam Saeed and Sarmad Khoosat
Sarmad Khoosat, in particular, called out the system that has allowed men with such dangerous opinions about women to be able to air their thoughts. He called out the industry for giving him the power and also the fans who support the writer and possibly share in his dangerous opinions.
What's scarier than #KhalilurRehman's temper, insecurities and mysogonistic attitude, is us who continue to encourage and engage him. Who cares if you're a good writer. You're a vile human being. Who speaks like that? What gives u the right to pass judgment like that? #Shameful
— Sanam Saeed (@sanammodysaeed) March 4, 2020
— Sarmad Khoosat (@KhoosatSarmad) March 4, 2020
Osman Khalid Butt also chimed in regarding how Khalil Ur Rehman has had a history of displaying such behavior and was still allowed to be on air
The problem with outrage culture when it comes to matters of the entertainment industry is aside from checking boxes (being on the 'right' side of a debate) & preaching to the converted, what good has it done us?
/1— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) March 4, 2020
Why, was him equating women demanding equality to women gang-raping men in an interview last year not enough insight to his mindset? We were quiet then, weren't we.
Where is the accountability, and why is it easier to bash, ban, boycott 'peripheral' members of the fraternity /3— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) March 4, 2020
Shehzad Roy didn’t just stand back either and came forward with his stance
Don't understand the problem so many are having with #MeraJismMeriMarzi"-Mera jism meri marzi nahi toh kis ki marzi ho gi?? "My body is mine" is a critical component of the Life Skills Based Education classes we teach to help children protect themselves from abuse & harassment
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) March 4, 2020
Noted journalist Asma Shirazi couldn’t hold back her criticism on Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s mentality
حضرت علی علیہ السلام کا قول ہے بے شک انسان اپنی زبان کے پیچھے چھپا ہے۔
مزمت اس شخص کے کئے انتہائی چھوٹا لفظ ہے، مجھے حیرت ہے کہ یہ صاحب لکھاری ہیں، ان کی سوچ اور ان کے فلسفے پر صد افسوس ۔ انٹلچکوئل کرپشن کی اعلی مثال یہ شخص ہے۔ https://t.co/pfX990Eg7V— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) March 4, 2020
Aamir Liaquat also condemned such behavior and expressed how Khalil Ur Rehman has embarrassed all men
آپ کو نہیں پسند
ٹھیک ہے
نظریے سے اختلاف ہے ، مناسب !
مگر یہ طرزتکلم تواس مخبر خاتون کے ساتھ مولا علی کا بھی نہیں تھا جس نے جنگ میں مخبری کا کام سر انجام دیا
خلیل الرحمن قمر! تم نے مَردوں کے سر شرم سے جھکادیے اور تکبر سے معاشرے کو تقسیم کردیا@marvisirmed #khalilurrehmanqamar pic.twitter.com/Jx4yf10Wow— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) March 4, 2020
People from all platforms came forward with criticism, joining Aamir Liaquat and Mahira Khan in condemning Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s views
Khalil ur Rehman conduct is extremely offensive and at the same time the anchor person’s conduct is Shameful too who instead of giving a shut up call to Khalil ur Rehman was trying to silence @marvisirmed. Afareen on the TV channel for not muting this filthy man. https://t.co/kFrWUoEzzQ
— Gulalai_Ismail (@Gulalai_Ismail) March 4, 2020
It only reflected what millions of women undergo in their houses &other places of existence. It only affirmed how important is #AuratMarch2020 Say NO to abusive, aristocratic, manipulative male mindset. In solidarity with @marvisirmed MERA JISM MERI MARZI ✊🏼 #understandtheslogan
— Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) March 4, 2020
This man #khalilurrehmanqamar is a next-level bastard but shame on this anchor who let him bark & didn’t even once shut him up for abusing @marvisirmed.
Shame on NEO,Shame on GEO for hiring him for an year, & Shame on all those women who will work in Gus projects. #AuratMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/PzY9QQIgpv— Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) March 3, 2020
Even the host of the TV show where the incident happened also offered somewhat of an apology
Kuch na honay se kuch behtar hai but her response only goes to show her tone deafness and inability to understand how dangerous the abusive remarks of Khalil Ur Rehman really are.
— ayesha ehtesham (@ayeshasohaileh4) March 3, 2020
Such behavior from such a seemingly educated man is alarming and forces us to think about the extremely unstable constructs on which the mentality of numerous people in our society, who are supporting the man’s actions, is based on.
What do you think about this whole situation? let us know in the comments below.
Cover image via tribune.com.pk / Entertainment Pakistan via YouTube /superstarsbio.com