Tag: defamation case

Express News Service
NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of crime and violence against women, the Delhi court said that the woman has a right to put her grievance at any platform of her choice and even after decades of the trauma.   

“The time has come for our society to understand the sexual abuse and sexual harassment and its implications on victims.  The society should understand that an abusive person is just like rest of the other person and he too has family and friends.  He can also be well respected person of the society,” Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey said, acquitting journalist Priya Ramani from the criminal defamation case filed by MJ Akbar.

Akbar had taken Ramani to court after she published tweets and an article detailing the sexual harassment which she faced during a job interview in December 1993.“The victims of the sexual abuse not even speak a word about abuse for many years because sometimes she herself have no idea that she is a victim of abuse.  Most of the women who suffer abuse do not speak up about it or against it for simple reason ‘The Shame’ or the social stigma attached with the sexual -harassment and abuse.”

Sexual abuse takes away dignity and self-confidence of a woman, the order states. “The attack on the character of sex-abuser or offender by sex abuse victim, is the reaction of self defence after the mental trauma suffered by the victim regarding the shame attached with the crime committed against her.”

“It is shameful that the incidents of crime and violence against women are happening in the country where mega epics such as Mahabarata and Ramayana were written around the theme of respect for women. In Balyamiki Ramayan, the reference of great respect is found, when Prince Laxman was asked to describe about Princesses Sita, he answered that he remembers only her feet as he had never looked beyond that.”  

The court went on to refer the Aranaya Kand of Ramcharitmanas and the Sabha Parv of Mahabharata to drive home the fact that how there has been a tradition of respecting the women. “The Indian women are capable, pave the way for them to excel, they only require the freedom and equality.  The ‘glass ceiling’ will not prevent the Indian women as a road-lock for their advancement in the society, if equal opportunity and social protection be given to them,” it said.

Express News Service
NEW DELHI: On the day when Priya Ramani was acquitted, other women journalists who had spoken out against M J Akbar said the judgment was “empowering” and “healing”.  “This judgment is empowering and one that vindicates women who have faced sexual harassment at workplace. For me, the big takeaway is that the onus is not on women to complain. It acknowledged the culture of sexual harassment. It also acknowledged the stigma attached to speaking out. It believed Priya over M J Akbar in this case. That is a big vindication. Just to hear these words that ‘we believe you’ is very liberating, healing,” said journalist Suparna Sharma, who had spoken out against Akbar for sexually harassing her.

“It  will have a very positive effect. Watching Priya and her lawyer is very empowering for women. This judgment has restored our faith…The #MeToo movement was also because women were not sure they will be heard properly, or be trusted. When a judicial court tells you that ‘we believe you even if you come to us decades later, we believe your story’, it is very encouraging. We hope this helps break silences for women who want to complain.” 

Journalist Ghazala Wahab, who had recounted how Akbar sexually harassed her, said the judge understood the problems from a woman’s perspective. “He understood the fact that  it is not possible for a woman to always report her sexual harassment. The judge said that a lot of times women do not understand what they are going through because they do not have the tools to understand what is happening. The responsibility in that case lies with people who are empowered… people who should be helping women who do have adequate tools or adequate voice.” 

Journalist Saba Naqvi, who had spoken out against Akbar’s conduct, tweeted, “#PriyaRamani stands tall conducting herself magnificently.”UK-based journalist Ruth David said it was a historic ruling for MeToo movement. “Priya Ramani and Rebecca John are the giants on whose shoulders we stood through the last 2 plus years,” she tweeted.