After singer Anu Malik addressed the #MeToo allegations against him by singer Neha Bhasin, Shweta Pandit and other women, Sona Mohapatra has released a long statement as a reaction to Malik’s denial. Sona tweeted, ''Anu Malik finally wrote back to all of us last evening. My response to him, next to his letter. In case mine is too long to read, have also attached a shorter, crisper one, one amongst many on my timeline. Thank you @KallolDatta for saying it better #India @IndiaMeToo.''
Mentioning names of all from Neha Bhasin to Shweta Pandit who had accused him of sexual harassment, Sona wrote to him, ''Shweta Pandit told of her trauma of how you scarred her at a young age of fifteen! A kid. Danica D’Souza, Ex Indian Idol Producer told of how you harassed crew & contestants alike. Caralisa Monteiro spoke up too. Neha Bhasin spoke up a fortnight ago about her own story with you, she was only twenty one & many more who aren’t famous did too & in detail. Alisha Chinai too corroborated the pattern & spoke her truth. None of these women are connected or have anything to gain by speaking up about the predatory behaviour of one powerful, rich, perverted person.''
Calling him out for being a judge on a reality show, Sona said, ''It has been spoken about very clearly. You have no right to be platformed on National TV till you make amends. 1.3 billion people exist in India. Not everyone needs to make crores on TV to survive or be 'judge' to young people whose safety they jeopardise. You aren't a role model. You could always take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling or somewhere to reflect on how to behave better. Ask your kids to do a hard days job & earn a salary. They are adults. I started working at 22. Do whatever it takes. Stay away from the public eye? Show some remorse? Say sorry? If you did, this would not have happened. There you go! You answered your own question.”
She added, ''Step Down Malik & yes, please do go to court. I request you to do so. Not just these 10 testimonies, we shall ensure ten times those are presented for the world to see. Let’s set a precedent for India, Mr Anu Malik. Let’s make sure no one feels like behaving like you have over the decades. I have the utmost faith that.''
''Justice shall indeed be served,'' she concluded.
Anu Malik broke his silence on Thursday night and took to his Instagram account to share his side of the story. A part of the statement read as, ''Ever since the false and unverified allegations were levelled against me, it has not only ruined my reputation, but affected me and my family’s mental health, left us traumatised and tarnished my career. I feel helpless, like I am being cornered and suffocated. It’s disgraceful that at this age, at this stage in my life I have to watch the most slanderous words and horrifying incidents being associated with my name. Why wasn’t this spoken about before? Why do these allegations resurface only when I back on television, which is currently my only source of livelihood?''
Malik, 59, was first accused of misconduct last year during the #MeToo movement and was briefly dropped as a judge of a singing reality show on Sony channel. The allegations resurfaced with his reinstatement on the channel this September.
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