Oscar winner, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, has landed herself in yet another controversy. This time around, people are showering the usual hate streak on her for pointing out a harassment case.
On October 23, Sharmeen tweeted about her sister’s experience with a doctor at Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi
She narrated that her sister went to AKU emergency the night before. The doctor who treated her then tried to add her on Facebook. And this infuriates her because she believes people do not understand boundaries.
There are zero boundaries in #pakistan! Last night my sister went to AKU emergency & the doctor who tended to her tried 2 add her on FB 1/2
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) October 23, 2017
She also pointed out that it is unethical for doctors to use the personal information of their patients and add them on Facebook.
I don't quite understand how doctor tending 2 emergency patients thinks it's ok to take a female patient info & add her on FB! 2/2 unethical
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) October 23, 2017
Sharmeen then pledged to report the doctor because harassment has to stop. She also claimed that the doctor messed with the wrong women in the wrong family.
Unfortunately the doctor messed with the wrong women in the wrong family and I will definitely report him! Harassment has 2 stop!
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) October 23, 2017
As soon as she tweeted this, tweets started pouring in – challenging her definition of harassment
35K followers, means 35000 people harassed me on Twitter.
Oscar Winner Sharmeen Obaid's logic. ?— Mariam's Madness (@mariamsmadness) October 27, 2017
I accidently tagged sharmeen obaid in a tweet . Will i be facing harassement charges now??
— walter white (@recently_joined) October 26, 2017
If sending a friend request is harassment then Sharmeen Obaid is being raped by all of her followers on twitter. ??pic.twitter.com/mSMjWgyjcu
— ?hm€đ $a£eəm (@Ahmadd_Saleem) October 27, 2017
Some criticized her for defaming Pakistan
Sharmeen obaid needs to b condemned at every forum for defaming Pakistn.Even got doctor fired for sending friend request to her sis.Shameful pic.twitter.com/WRf3PxMxXb
— Hassan Niazi (@HniaziISF) October 27, 2017
Sharmeen Obaid got all fame using negative image of Pak. Used a poor women to gain fame. Haven't paid her anything. What a selfish and idiot lady.
Ponay 2 anay ki liberal aunties— Waqas Ali Khan (@WAKhan_) October 27, 2017
sharmeen obaid is a big shame on our Nation. #sharmeenobaid #nonsense
— Hamza J. Sheikh (@hamzajsheikh) October 27, 2017
People were digging her consensual photos standing with men to point out that her argument about feeling harassed is somehow wrong
Half of Sharmeen Obaid's body is touching this Hollywood actor but if a bald doctor sends her a friend request she feels harassed. pic.twitter.com/b3BIjMo3qO
— Sir Saith Abdullah (@SaithAbdullah99) October 27, 2017
Earlier today, it was reported that the doctor who was alleged to have harassed Sharmeen’s sister lost his job
AKUH doctor 'sacked' over sending FB friend request to Sharmeen Obaid's sister https://t.co/RCmeVZ0llk
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) October 27, 2017
Sharmeen reported the harassment her sister faced and people are pissed that the doctor lost his job because of her
Doctor fired for sending friend request to influential Sharmeen Obaid's sister.Who'll make a documentary on this influence & abuse of power?
— Ibrar (@IbrarIbrahim) October 26, 2017
Doctor who sent friend request to Sharmeen Obaid’s sister has been fired, left unemployed with 4 kids to look after. Where’s justice now?
— . (@osamacaprii) October 26, 2017
Of course, Ansar Abassi could not refrain himself from commenting on the matter
Women should follow Islamic principles to save themselves from men's exploitation and abuse.
— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) August 6, 2017
In an attempt to counter these trolls, Sharmeen tweeted this
Yes I clearly know what harassment is- do you? https://t.co/7aJJaZxzia
— Sharmeen Obaid (@sharmeenochinoy) October 23, 2017
While you may agree or disagree with her definition of harassment, the fact that everyone blatantly rejects the idea of accommodating her idea of speaking up is problematic. It sends out a very strong message to women, who might want to stand up to the harassment they faced and call out those who violated their space. To snub them like, will project the idea that there is no space for women speaking out. And even if they do, their claim will always be more scrutinized than a man’s.