According to PwC’s Women in Work Index 2019, India would get the bottom rank when it came to the best countries for females to work. One of the reasons outlined for such a low ranking was sexual harassment at the workplace. Which is true enough as many women have come forward and spoken publicly about their ordeals in the #MeToo movement.
One such case was of TV actress Tina Datta who accused her Daayan co-star Mohit Malhotra of touching her inappropriately while filming the show.
According to Tina, Mohit was warned against his behaviour but he merely provided excuses and continued to make her uncomfortable on set. However, a few days later the actress withdrew her earlier allegation saying,
“Mohit and I have ironed out the differences. We have concluded to make a new start. I don’t have any issues working with him.”
After this statement, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit who is also the Chief Advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) slammed Tina for not taking the #MeToo movement seriously.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation, he said that victims who come forward should also see it through right until the end. DNA India quoted him saying,
“What does she mean by ironed out differences? Is this a shirt that you can iron? These were serious allegations of sexual misconduct. How can she just throw them around and withdraw them whenever she wants? Is this a joke?”
He further remarked that whenever any allegations are made the federation is “deeply concerned” but if the same person retracts their earlier stance it belittles “our efforts to bring justice to women who have been really wronged.”
Hopefully, Tina will clarify her stand and choose to follow through on her accusation instead of letting the inappropriate behaviour go unpunished.