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Slut-shaming a woman is disgusting and shameful. It’s OK to have a past. What is not OK, is to judge someone based on it.
A new viral video has appeared on different platforms. It is alleged that this video is of a creative skit put together by the students of IMS-BHU at a cultural fest. The subject? Actress Deepika Padukone’s dating history and love life.
Deepika is dressed as Mastani, a character from one of her films. In the background, we see a montage of her former boyfriends like Nihar Pandya, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Siddharth Mallya, Ranbir Kapoor, and finally Ranveer Singh. The video presents musical interludes, entries by men in cricket attire, and dances by Ranbir, and Ranveer lookalikes. It was created in a ‘lighter vein’ with comical overtones. Only the video did not make me laugh. It made me feel disgusted beyond words, coming across as crass and offensive.
Deepika’s recent appearance on Koffee with Karan has made her the object of judgment and harassment. Her comment on being in other relationships before committing to Ranveer Singh incurred the wrath of many.
What kind of woman admits to experimenting and going out on many dates? ‘The Indian woman should fit into the perfect mold of blemish-less’, the nameless-faceless trolls cackled.
Ironically, each of these men has had colorful dating histories too. Now, most of them are happily married and settled. What is the point of raking up the past? Deepika’s only mistake was to be honest and vulnerable, and the vultures swooped in. if a skit had to be made about her, why not talk about her hard work and her success? She is self-made and has featured in many a blockbuster Bollywood movie that has helped revive a stagnant industry.
Slut-shaming a woman is disgusting and shameful. It’s OK to have a past. What is not OK, is to judge someone based on it. A celebrity is more vulnerable because they are in the constant public glare, but they have a right to privacy too. Creative liberties should not be a cover for insensitive behavior.
In ancient times, a ‘fallen’ woman was branded with a scarlet letter. She was mocked for engaging in affairs or inappropriate relationships. The man would walk scot-free. It is strange that centuries later, nothing has changed. Women are being judged and ridiculed, and their characters assassinated.
If this is one of the country’s leading educational institutions, I shudder. Education isn’t supposed to just guarantee a good job, money, or success. It is supposed to instill basic values in you, like respecting one another. I wonder why the faculty-in-charge did not review the content before the performance. Or has such behavior been normalized at some level? Do we need to rethink the syllabus? I hope disciplinary action is taken, and these ill-informed students realize their mistake.
As a person who has a history of anxiety issues, I shudder to think what Deepika must be going through. In case you ever read this, we got your back girl; you have a whole tribe of women cheering for you and booing at the trolls.
This is a developing story.
Lalitha is a blogger and a dreamer. Her career is in finance, but writing is her way to unwind! Her little one is the center of her Universe. read more...
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