With the global #MeToo movement finally taking off in India a cascade of allegations arrived as women took to Twitter to call out comedians, journalists, authors, actors, filmmakers and many others – in the process, they have sparked a debate about consent and complicity.
Women journalists have perhaps played the biggest role so far, “outing” reporters, senior editors, authors and even a high court judge. And it’s likely the coming week will bring fresh accusations. Until then let’s see some stories that women from all over India have to share with the world, because this is India’s #MeToo movement.
“I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years.” @vintananda‘s heart-wrenching post which reaffirms that #TimesUp, even for the (so-called) “most #Sanskaari person in the film and television industry.” #MeToo #MeTooIndia pic.twitter.com/YygO1SfLMR
— Shephali Bhatt (@ShephaliBhatt) October 8, 2018
Gursimran Khamba from @AllIndiaBakchod. The survivor wishes to stay anonymous. #MeToo #TimesUp #BelieveHer pic.twitter.com/B9PTYJT8LE
— hk {on a hiatus} (@PedestrianPoet) October 8, 2018
A friend and former colleague asked me to share her #metoo story. 14 years after she was sexually harassed, she told me her hands where shaking while she was typing this. I feel sad that the incident made her question whether she was too loud and her dress sense too bold. pic.twitter.com/P1RXt5PvzI
— Anahita Mukherji (@Newspaperwalli) October 9, 2018
I cannot stop shaking.
My Friend will remain anonymous.@vairamuthu
Why people cannot share at the risk of their careers.
And bloody hell #MeToo!! pic.twitter.com/REj1UcTxtL
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 8, 2018
Varun Grover. Man. Why. #metoo #believeher #timesup pic.twitter.com/ZSczpo4PMJ
— hk {on a hiatus} (@PedestrianPoet) October 9, 2018
#MeToo
About a theatre actor. pic.twitter.com/IKzEkegjxz— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) October 9, 2018
Here comes one more #MeToo
Malayalam actor and left MLA Mukesh! pic.twitter.com/4yItC7MGFQ— Bobins Abraham (@BobinsAbraham) October 9, 2018
Good morning @Abhinavrt, your #TimesUp #MeToo pic.twitter.com/9tctbvjxfk
— Somesh Jha (@someshjha7) October 9, 2018
Who is she and is she referring to …….?#metoo #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/LrOrzuRYIQ
— Elongated Muskmelon (@Elon_Muskmelon) October 9, 2018
When the #MeToo movement is gaining steam… i would like to attract attention of someone … who is one kind of Icon of the Peacefuls… and his open harrasement of @AsYouNotWish …. and Irony is that… none of those Woke #Feminist uttered anything pic.twitter.com/HVXRKL2sJP
— Subhasish 🇮🇳 (@rajsubhasish) October 8, 2018
So. This account is harrowing and you'll need a pillow to punch and maybe cry imto. Tanmoy Jones Chakraborty, freelance photographer, often hanging around in Delhi pubs. TW: rape. #MeToo #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/rKN7LtGOse
— Divya Karthikeyan (@divya_krthk) October 8, 2018
Most woman journalists probably know a hotel room assault
This about Kiran Nagarkar pic.twitter.com/32lut5Zsd3
— Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) October 5, 2018
A high court judge pic.twitter.com/wiatywrHR9
— Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) October 5, 2018
Many more women have come forward with their stories, some of them from years ago. This is perhaps a sign of how, for the first time, they believe people are listening.
But in cases where it boils down to “your word against mine”, many of the women who spoke out are already being threatened with legal action for defamation and some of the tweets, naming names, have already been taken down.
The strength of the latest #MeToo movement will ultimately be tested by where it travels from here – and if the past is any sign, there’s very little to be idealistic about, for prior endeavors at an Indian #MeToo movement did not have any lasting effect.