In light of the recent events taking place, with Meesha Shafi accusing Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, there are some very disturbing things that are surfacing. Some of the replies under Meesha’s tweet and the comments section under article we wrote about the incident has shed light on some very very sad mentalities.
While there was a lot of support pouring in from everywhere, for Meesha’s bravery and the fact that she spoke out against something as horrendous and grave as sexual harassment
There were those who couldn’t help but play the victim blame and shame game
People kept demanding more ‘proof’, as if a woman’s word against a man’s is not good enough
Also, Ali Zafar has not spoken up about the incident, and we’re still waiting to hear from him
The gender card was also played that people would not have believed Ali if he were to make such a statement
We wholeheartedly agree with the fact that this is just one side of the story and we’re not making any assumptions till we get to hear from Ali
But to discredit someone when they have spoken up is the exact reason why there are SO many people who never end up raising their voice against something like this or telling their story to the world. This is why so many women and men, girls and boys never speak up about being harassed, in any which way
People kept making this about feminism, when speaking out against sexual harassment has literally got nothing to do with being a feminist
There were those who said it was okay even if Ali Zafar was inappropriate with Meesha, but to not beat your drum about it
They brought up an old picture of hers with her former costar from “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”, Riz Ahmed
The picture says nothing about harassment, it is two friends, coworkers, having fun
There were those who said that if Ali had to harass someone, why would it be Meesha and not someone else?
While we’re not sure if this is validating the harassment or discrediting Meesha’s claims of the incident, we’re pretty sure that nobody, especially someone in a position of fame and power, will ever want “sassti shuhrat” by putting a statement like this forward. Meesha stands nothing to gain from this statement, in a society like ours, however we have seen cases of women being ostracized from society because of claims like these.
One person literally gave the explanation of sexual harassment and said it wasn’t sexual harassment…
Once again, this has nothing to do with the kind of person Ali Zafar is or isn’t
Yes, we need to hear more on this story, but we need to hear that from Ali, himself.
There were those who called this a ‘script’
And those who were asking why Meesha was going to Ali again and again after she had been harassed the first time
Okay, they’re both celebrities, they are both at the same events multiple times, they have shared the stage with one another, like Meesha said, and they were featured on a very famous music platform, together.
Feminism was also brought into play one more time, saying that feminists only want to promote ‘oorat raj’
Also just this…
There were those who were asking Meesha to take Ali Zafar’s reputation into consideration…ji kya?
But how does this make ANY sense? Ke Ali ke pass larkioun ki kammi nahi hai…
Okay, speaking up about sexual harassment is NOT seeking attention, it’s the literal opposite
You’re putting yourself on the line, everything you’ve worked for.
And then the obvious drama comments
You know how there are some people who you just want to call out and name them, this person is a prime example
Class ki baat bhi aagayi beech mein se bhai log?
There were also publications who were handling this matter extremely lightly, asking Meesha if she even knew what sexual harassment was
Here's how Paperazzi Magazine by @ePakistanToday has reported Meesha's statement. By alleging she – a grown, educated woman who's come out in public about sexual harassment – doesn't know what sexual harassment 'really' means. And proceeded to victimize re 'proof'. pic.twitter.com/sbuWqUMUI4
— Dancing in the moonlight (@anthonypermal) April 19, 2018
Here’s the thing you guys, if a woman has come forth with something as serious as actual allegations against another man for sexually harassing her, or if a man comes forth with the same.
Meesha Shafi Has Accused Ali Zafar Of Sexual Harassment And Just WTF