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Why Do We In India Shy Away From Discussing The Desi Harvey Weinsteins?

Sexual predators, and misogynists are a global problem, and we have plenty here too.
Brian Snyder / Reuters

Hollywood mega producer Harvey Weinstein's uncontrollable libido has opened a veritable Pandora's jocks. Suddenly, actor Ben Affleck is compelled to issue a public apology to Hilarie Burton , courtesy a freak social media conversation, for a crude fondle in Y 2003. Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have given explicit descriptions of Mr Weinstein's lascivious attempts at forced seduction. Weinstein has been compelled to resign from his lofty towers, and several of his chums have, belatedly, expressed their disgust. It is appalling alright, but those who are feigning ignorance of such organised smuttiness occurring regularly in high places, are clearly being terribly disingenuous.

Incidentally, showbiz globally has the ignoble tradition of the notorious casting couch, sexual favors are often extracted by powerful studio moguls from susceptible starlets, and handsome young men looking for that elusive breakthrough into the stardust lights. Sexual harassment is the elephant in the room, unfortunately, it is fashionable to treat it as a one-off done by some crazy pervert only.

The hard truth is that women across the globe have a formidable challenge even after cracking the glass ceiling by entering corporate boardrooms. The problem is deeply embedded in traditionalism bordering on irrational rigidity that proscribes women's emancipation. There are three examples that come to mind: India's own forensic expert Dr Rukmani Krishnamurthy, and Nobel Prize laureate Elizabeth Blackburn, a molecular biologist, who were told early in their school days: 'what's a nice girl like you doing studying science?'

The hard truth is that women across the globe have a formidable challenge even after cracking the glass ceiling by entering corporate boardrooms.

Clearly, for every Sheryl Sandberg there are a thousand other talented women who are being outrageously segregated against on account of gender prejudice. It is a grave issue, and there are no silver bullets to a historical bias of astonishing proportions. But there is hope.

At the CII Women Nation Summit in Mumbai last week, it was good to see a huge crowd of young women sharing stories of their unique triumph against sturdy walls of stubborn male resistance. Actor-director and talent powerhouse Lilette Dubey was forthright in stating that the Indian film industry was a hotbed of brazen exploitation by unscrupulous producers. Weinstein is in glorious company, only, we in India have the masterful wherewithal to smother stories that cause acute discomfort. Frankly, even the Indian media has a peculiar self-righteousness in dealing with the sexual shenanigans of the rich and famous. It is silly, and worse, crocodilian. While Bollywood's clandestine dalliances regularly feature in Page 3 columns, the licentious tales of corporate titans, political heavyweights, and several from the media industry are quietly buried.

Remember Bill O'Reilly, the TV anchor of Fox News? I asked this question to some, and the response has swerved between being self-serving to sanctimonious balderdash. For instance, "as long as the public figure delivers on fundamental commitments, how does it matter what they do between the bedsheets?". Really? In that case should the global media have ignored the hormonal outpourings of the former IMF honcho Dominique Strauss Kahn in the Sofitel hotel in New York, who was indicted for attempted rape of a surprised housekeeping staff ? France lost a potentially strong presidential candidate.

The double-standards here protect the roving eye of the powerful glitterati, as the unfortunate victims are subjected to astronomical intimidation, including threats.

Then, why at all feature those silly pieces on who is the latest victim of Salman Khan's charm offensive? Surely, that has little to do with his acting prowess on the big screen, right? Or do the ROTFL somersault on reading Bill Clinton jokes about his Monica Lewinsky moment? Why was there no chai pe charcha on a famous unmarried Indian politician who has a foster son-in-law? Was that a biological revolution? The double-standards here protect the roving eye of the powerful glitterati, as the unfortunate victims are subjected to astronomical intimidation, including threats. A journalist in a dangerous alleged liaison with a former NDA minister was killed. Frankly, the media becomes accessory to the crime by not reporting it.

Whatever be the truth, the overwhelming sentiment being cleverly choreographed is that actor Kangana Ranaut 's allegations against colleague Hrithik Roshan is a figment of imagination of a troubled head. It's not that simple. Would Ranaut risk being seen as a self-destructive psycho in an industry so solipsistic about its perceived halo that it seeks public approbation even on the shoes they wear? You wonder, sometimes.

Gender bias is a global problem

While it is indisputably a humongous social problem in India, gender bias is not restricted to geographical boundaries. The incorrigible superbrat John McEnroe mocked Serena Williams' extraordinary triumphs, saying a lowly ranked male player could demolish her. Perhaps he forgot the result of the Battle of the Sexes game between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Equal pay continues to incapacitate corporate HR in well-established multinational firms even with liberal predilections.

And while Shah Rukh Khan's decision to have his female co-star rank higher than him on the film rubric is welcome, we are still stuck in the quagmire of hollow sloganeering like 'Beti Bachao'. This is just such synthetic symbolism stretched too far. The reality is disturbing, worrisome. At least there are celluloid aspirations that signal rising woman power: an all-female star cast for Star Trek, a Wonder Woman franchise , and creative talent in India like Zoya Akhtar, Nandita Das, Gauri Shinde and Alia Bhatt are pushing the boundaries.

I read that former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said: "There is a special place in hell for women who do not help each other". Hillary Clinton will probably agree. In the meantime , there are several predatory Weinstein's still walking around with a belligerent countenance in their five-star bathrobes. One braggadocio of the same ilk is today the most powerful man in the world. He was elected.

The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of HuffPost India. Any omissions or errors are the author's and HuffPost India does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.