A day after Meesha Shafi leveled allegations of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar, several other women have come forward making claims against the singer. This new information has created a ripple effect with many women and men speaking out against sexual harassment in any shape or form. It has also raised questions over what constitutes harassment and consent, which will hopefully be a positive dialogue for survivors and others as well so that they may exercise empathy when discussing such a sensitive issue.
After Meesha Shafi’s initial tweet, the following women came out making claims of sexual harassment against Ali Zafar:
So @itsmeeshashafi‘s brave sharing of her experience reminded me of a story about @AliZafarsays from many many years ago, when Ali Zafar tried to kiss my cousin and pull my cousin into a restroom with him. Luckily my cousin’s friends were there to push Ali Zafar off https://t.co/kBQbBiwyFP — Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
We didn’t even think of telling anyone, apart from friends, or reporting him because “he’s a celebrity, no one would possibly care or listen”. And tbh over the years we forgot the story ourselves, until today. Thanks @itsmeeshashafi for reminding us that our stories matters — Maham Javaid (@JMaham) April 19, 2018
Journalist Maham Javaid pointed out how it was a taboo back then to even mention sexual harassment, let alone have a mature discussion on the topic. Meesha speaking up has enabled other survivors to come forward as well.
@itsmeeshashafi you’re not alone. Please read this. #metoo @merabichrayaar @HaadeaP pic.twitter.com/3KzIenHnQn — Humna Raza (@HumnaRaza) April 19, 2018
Blogger and social media influencer, Humna Raza’s experience with Ali Zafar raises crucial questions as to what constitutes sexual harassment. Does it really have to be violent in nature to make claims of discomfort legitimate? A simple, unwanted touch is grounds for sexual harassment. A person asking to take a selfie is not relinquishing their right to consent to physical touch.
Thank you @itsmeeshashafi for your courage and your bravery. It’s never easy. But that should never silence us. I am in total solidarity with you. You are not alone in this because #Metoo #TimesUp #WeBelieveYou pic.twitter.com/hkQ61bqnFH — Leena (@Leena_Ghani) April 19, 2018
Make-up artist, Leena Ghani also detailed a similar experience. She aptly points out how “inappropriate comments, groping, sexual comments should not fall in the grey area between humor and indecency”. It is precisely this dismissive attitude towards victims that needs reform.
In light of these developments, some celebrities rushed to take Ali Zafar’s side.
And of those supporting Ali Zafar subtly, Maya Ali’s Instagram post surely takes the cake.
How Maya Ali manages to equate Ali talking to his wife over the phone during shoots to him being of a moral upstanding, is beyond comprehension. It needs to be said loud and clear that perpetrators of harassment are often those we know and hold in high respect. Moreover, her words completely fail to mention the victim who leveled the allegation in the first place. It is this culture of glossing over a victim’s plight that generally needs to change. And, then there is the ever noble Hamza Ali Abbasi indulging in some age-old patriarchal blame games.
FOR EXAMPLE: The man flirts, the woman doesn’t tell him she is feeling uncomfortable, maybe he is in a position of power or other reasons, the man takes it as consent, the woman years later comes out saying she got harassed & the guy keeps thinking he just flirted with consent! https://t.co/muXaEZCH6b — Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) April 20, 2018
Without going into how hypocritical his stances are, let’s consider what he says regarding consent. In a flicker of hope, one thinks he understands consent if he is aware of power dynamics between a male and female member of the industry. However, the very next second you are reminded of high horsed his privilege really is. Question for him is: How does speculating over a woman’s discomfort in a VERBAL conversation justify a physical act by the perpetrator?
Some celebrities, however, had some reasonable things to say in terms of sexual harassment.
The sick mentality of those commenting on an issue as serious as sexual harassment as casually as they are just shows where the root of this problem exists – in our minds. We will continue to breed harassers for as long as we continue to desensitise this issue. — Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) April 20, 2018
A woman breaks her silence about abuse, withstands character assassination & further abuse on social media, her story turns into memes & tone-deaf jokes that trivialize the issue, she fears ostracization – but suuuuure, she did it for the cheap publicity. https://t.co/eDeOpXYUox — Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) April 19, 2018
#MeToo needs a response #ImSorry from the offenders. Nothing will change until they acknowledge, take responsibility and make amends. pic.twitter.com/sphI1c1agT — Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) April 20, 2018
The key takeaway from these tweets is that they keep the focus where it belongs. That is breaking the culture of silence and keeping in mind the graveness of the issue. There is no particular side taken. Rather they urge everyone in their tweets to simply be respectful. Senseless memes and jokes can trigger those who are suffering in silence. Instead of pushing victims into the darkness further, it is important to let them speak and to render a keen ear to them. With more women coming out against their abusers it is important to take the moment to redefine what is harassment and how to combat it through education on the intricacies of consent; to both men and women.
As the following user aptly summarizes the incident:
Spot the ones supporting Ali Zafar. Spot the ones supporting #MeToo. Spot the ones demanding proof from Meesha & insisting that Ali is too good looking, too married, too fatherly to harass women. Spot them all & categorize them. They are why victims are silent & afraid. — Mahwash Ajaz (@mahwashajaz_) April 19, 2018
Honestly, we couldn’t have said it better! *Feature Image Source: Greatist.com*