Dear Rani Mukherjee, Martial Arts Is Not The Solution For Harassment Against Women

In a recent round table discussion on the #metoo movement, prominent actor Rani Mukherjee came up with some shocking and bizarre solutions. The author here questions Rani’s stand!

We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence –the shame is on aggressor- Angelina Jolie

Recently, a senior actress from Bollywood has been in the limelight for her senseless comments on the #metoo movement. She said that if a woman is in a kind of situation where a man is trying to take advantage of her, then she should make sure that the man suffers right there. She could kick him or give him a jhappad.

Rani’s idea was to take responsibility for our safety and learn martial arts. She did not consider that we need to change the attitude/approach of men. Rather, as per her, women should take charge. It is possible Rani, that being a wife of  a leading filmmaker you are on the other side of the table and are trying to play safe. But, being a woman of 21st century and a leading actress at that, you must think rationally before giving such a utopian solution.

Its easier said than done. People who live in a privileged environment often undermine the plight of others who struggle to get the basics. Rani Mukherjee is born with a silver spoon, as her father is a film director and she has many relatives in the film industry to boast of. So, it would have been easy for her to make a career in Bollywood. On top of that, she is married in the prominent Chopra family of Hindi film industry. Thus, she lives in a very safe and sophisticated environment and she can work as per her will .

But, for other women, making a career in the film industry or any other industry for that matter is not a cakewalk. Everyday they face physical, mental and sexual harassment. Before the advent of #metoo movement, almost 90% of workplace harassment never got reported. The #metoo movement has been a good initiative for women, as they were finally able to speak out, what they have gone through.

According to Rani, men are raised by women only, so we cannot go and tell mothers how to raise their sons. Hence,it is better for women to change their approach. Her idea was too regressive and bizarre to follow in the practical world.

For any girl /woman who has raised her voice in the #metoo movement after years of silence, it has taken great courage. It is not easy to tolerate any kind of sexual harassment. Tanushree Dutta was one of the first women to speak about abuse in her workplace. Later, many other women got the courage to speak up against abuse. Instead of supporting the movement, celebrities like Rakhi Sawant and Rani Mukherjee blame women and are indulging in ‘victim-blaming’.

Isn’t it hypocritical that Rani Mukherjee supports women empowerment in movies like ‘No One Killed Jessica’ and ‘Mardaani’, but in real life she says such things that defeats the movement. Why are we asking woman to act responsibly in order to be safe? We ask them to wear decent clothes, to not go out at night. Shouldn’t we understand that women safety is not only women’s responsibility rather men should change their attitude towards women and give them due respect.

And yes on a serious  note- Rani Mukherjee, will you teach your two year old daughter to kick off a man and give jhappad if God forbids someone tries to abuse her? At that moment won’t you expect the man to be humane enough?

‘I wish I could tell my sister that she’s not dirty and that she should not feel any shame for something that she literally was not responsible for’- Viola Davis

Image Source: YouTube

anamika kumari

Learn More