Personalities from Bollywood who were accused of sexual harassment, assault and rape by different women: (From left) Actors Nana Patekar and Alok Nath, and director Vikas Bahl. Photo courtesy: Bollywood Hungama (for Nana Patekar) and Wikimedia Commons
However, it would also be unfair to overlook some of the supporting work and campaigns that have sprung up to support the survivors. Bengaluru-based organisation Jhatkaa.org, a digital space for campaigns has been flooded with calls and emails from women, especially college girls, who have outed their professors and superiors for sexual harassment. They are asking for more support to back their claims, especially with the common response having been gaslighting not just from the accused, but also institutions.“We never talk about the unorganised sector of our country, from domestic workers to factory workers, to construction workers, who face violence at the workplace and domestic violence, as well as the violence of poverty, and therefore have no choice but to keep quiet. I don’t think anyone has documented the extent of violence these women face.”
One of the posters for a campaign that Bengaluru-based Jhatkaa started, which is currently supporting two college students who were expelled from her hostels for calling out their professor for sexual harassment and misconduct. Image courtesy Jhatkaa
