Tanushree Dutta’s Sexual Harassment Case Back In Spotlight
Nana Patekar has sent a lawful notice to Tanushree.
Former Miss India Tanushree Dutta, who came back to India a few days prior, has as of late come in the spotlight because of her badgering allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar. Tanushree had blamed that Nana Patekar harassed her 10 years back amid the shoot of the film Horn Ok Pleasss. The cases were later denied by Nana Patekar and he has even sent a lawful notice to Tanushree.
Patekar denies the charges. Yet, in the past week, Dutta has turned into the substance of a #MeToo campaign in Indian cinemas that is driving the industry closer to defying its treatment of ladies.
She said that the actor attempted to get too close to her during a special dance number. When she challenged, she said that he called goons to the film set, who bashed up her car and broke the windshield.
The occurrence scarred Tanushree, who left for the US, not long after. The artist has returned and is resolved to get equity. She had complained to CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) in 2008, however it was “not addressed properly”.
CINTAA discharged an announcement saying that the choice taken in the Joint Settlement Committee of CINTAA at the time was “not fitting” and the instance of inappropriate behavior was not given a talk over.
“CINTAA strongly condemns any act that outrages the modesty of any individual and any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable to us. After going through Ms. Tanushree Dutta’s complaint, which was filed with the then Executive Committee of CINTAA in March 2008, we feel that the decision was taken in the Joint Dispute Settlement Committee of CINTAA & IFTPC (then known as AMPTPP) in July 2008 was not appropriate, as the chief grievance of sexual harassment wasn’t even addressed.”
“Although it was a different Executive Committee at that time, yet as CINTAA we find it highly regrettable and no apologies can suffice, hence we must resolve today to never allow such lapses to occur again. CINTAA stands strongly for the dignity and self-respect of its members.”
In any case, they said that they couldn’t make any move presently as CINTAA’s constitution doesn’t enable them to take up a case that is over three years of age.
“Sexual harassment is a serious criminal offense, unfortunately, CINTAA’s Constitution bars us from taking up any case which is more than three years old. Hence we appeal to the authorities to take cognizance of Ms. Dutta’s statements and conduct an impartial and speedy inquiry so that truth and justice may prevail. We also appeal to all our members to report any such incidents to us immediately. We are duty bound to give them our complete moral, and legal support to ensure just and safe working conditions.”
While bigwigs like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan have avoided commenting on the issue.
Bachchan said, “Na toh mera naam Tanushree Dutta hai aur na hi Nana Patekar.”
Aamir was more forthcoming and said, “Well, I think without knowing the veracity of something, or the details of something, I don’t think I can comment on it. It’s not right for me… But I would like to say that, whenever something like this does happen, it’s a really sad thing. Now whether this has happened, that is for people to investigate. I don’t think we can comment on it,” he said.
Actors like Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, and Twinkle Khanna have talked up in the help of Tanushree.
