After going public with her horrific account of sexual misconduct at the hands of actor Alok Nath, writer Vinita Nanda expected an apology, at the very least, from the offending actor. Instead, she received a legal notice for defamation.
Though offended by this move, Nanda says she’s not really surprised. She says, “This is what is called the patriarchy. You do something wrong, then use another woman, in this case, your wife, to shield you. And you ask the person that you’ve done harm to for an apology. Moreover, you claim that you made the complainant’s life. Such behaviour is called misogyny and patriarchy.”
Since Vinita’s public statement, other women, including actress Sandhya Mridul, have also come out with their stories about Alok Nath’s misconduct. But the writer points out that only she is being targeted by the disgraced actor.
“He has filed a defamation case against me alone. The same is true in Priya Ramani’s case. She has 12 women by her side condemning M.J. Akbar’s alleged predatory behaviour, but she’s being picked on alone,” she says.
Based on his statements, it seems like Alok Nath feels no shame at all for his alleged actions, but Vinita thinks otherwise. “He is probably feeling shame because he has done something wrong and he’s been called out for it. But if he had felt remorse, he should have admitted it and apologized. Unfortunately, that’s not the case,” she says.
If he has done wrong, isn’t an apology the least he can offer in repentance, we wonder? “I suppose an apology is the least and the most that can be expected,” Vinita says.
HT17
