ICYMI, actor Kamal Haasan joined the likes of Neeraj Chopra, Swara Bhaskar, Pooja Bhatt, and Sonu Sood when he publicly showed support for the wrestlers who have been protesting for weeks at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Prominent Indian wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia have been protesting against government’s inactivity in the sexual harassment case against BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan. Yesterday, Delhi Police detained over 100 protestors, including the wrestlers, over ‘rioting’ and ‘unlawful assembly’.
Recently, Haasan took to Twitter to express his anger at how these wrestlers have been forced to “fight for personal safety” when they should have been fighting for national glory.
Today marks 1 month of protests by athletes of the wrestling fraternity. Instead of fighting for national glory, we have forced them to fight for personal safety.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 23, 2023
Fellow Indians ,who deserves our attention, our national sporting icons or a politician with an extensive criminal…
While many lauded the actor for speaking up and showing support for the wrestlers, there were some who thought it was convenient for Haasan to pick the issues he wants to support while ignoring ones right under his nose.
Amongst the latter was Tamil singer Chinmayi Sripada.
Why did Chinmaya Sripada call out Kamal Haasan on Twitter?
Back in 2018, the singer had named veteran lyricist Vairamuth during the ‘Me Too’ movement for sexually harassing her during a recording of a song. Sripada had received little support from her peers and was effectively banned from working in the Tamil film industry.
Sripada called out Haasan for vocally supporting the wrestlers and their “personal safety” while not having anything to say about how his own industry treated a serious allegation of sexual violence.
5 years of a singer in Tamilnadu being banned for naming a molester right in front of their eyes and not a pip about it since the poettu has their respect.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 25, 2023
How does one trust politicians who speak for women’s safety while they ignore harassment right under their noses?
Just.… https://t.co/RLrQiuPlgT
To nobody’s surprise, Sripada started getting attacked by Haasan’s fans and followers and was accused of ‘what aboutery’ by many.
Needless to say there is soooo much anger.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 26, 2023
So many Kamal Haasan supporters ask me the same *rape apologist - survivor shaming* questions that those opposing our Indian wrestlers have said. The playbook to shame women who name powerful molesters is the exact same.
DMK - BJP -… pic.twitter.com/0UEZtj9MCD
Singer Sona Mohapatra, another celebrity who was vocal during the ‘Me Too’ movement, showed support for her fellow singer and slammed people for shaming her.
Dearest @Chinmayi , sending love, healing, fighting spirit & strength , STRENGTH to you , today & always . To hell with the dim-wits who try & shame you. https://t.co/iBiHG8e302
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) May 26, 2023
So far, Haasan has not responded to Sripada’s statements.
