#MenToo: Netizens support Karan Oberoi-Pooja Bedi, demand gender neutral laws
Immediately after Inside Edge actor Karan Oberoi was arrested on May 6 for allegedly raping and blackmailing a woman, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar actor Pooja Bedi jumped to her bestie's defense. She called for a #MenToo movement, akin to the global #MeToo movement. And when on Monday, the woman was arrested for staging an attack on herself, social media erupted, demanding gender neutral laws.
But first a bit about the case
The woman, 34, apparently an astrologer, filed a complaint on May 4 with Oshiwara Police, claiming to have been raped and blackmailed by Karan. The actor was arrested within 24 hours. On May 25, the same woman filed another complaint alleging four men attacked her, threatening her to withdraw the rape complaint. On June 7, Bombay High Court granted Karan bail.
The woman's lawyer told cops she staged the attack
The bail was granted to Karan a month after his arrest, and it happened after Justice Revati Mohite-Dere cast doubt on the veracity of the rape complaint filed by the woman. This development came after the woman's lawyer Ali Kaashif Khan, told police on June 3, that the attack on the woman was staged by her, to prevent Karan from getting a bail.
"Laws are being manipulated, there have to be some amendments"
Eventually, Karan was out of the jail, and since then he has been asking for the laws to be gender neutral. "When you say #MenToo, you are talking about gender neutrality. I am a strong supporter of #MeToo and a proud feminist. I believe in justice and equality. Yes, laws are being manipulated and there have to be some amendments to laws," he said.
We aspire for a society that has equilibrium, peace: Karan
The 40-year-old further highlighted how cases like these create an "imbalance in the society." "Men will be running scared of women, scared to talk to them, marry them, date them. That's not the society we aspire for. We aspire for a society that has equilibrium, peace, love and harmony. We share moral and social responsibilities. We've responsibilities as good human beings," he pointed out.
Why was her phone not taken, asks Bedi on Twitter
Meanwhile, Bedi questioned Mumbai Police's efficacy in several Twitter posts. "Mumbai police in such a hurry to arrest Karan Oberoi, strongly oppose his bail and confiscate his phone. Her phone not taken. High court judge asks why no arrest for woman and they finally arrest her and rush her for bail without letting Karan's lawyer know," she wrote after the woman's arrest.
Mumbai Police Commissioner "needs to shake up his department"
She also said the Mumbai Police Commissioner "needs to shake up his department. Heads MUST roll .. only way to shape up a department & make them accountable for their actions/inactions." "We as citizens have the RIGHT to be protected and have a logical, dignified, fair and impartial investigation," she added. Karan and Bedi are not alone in this. Netizens support them wholeheartedly.
One netizen suggests Karan should approach high court
While one suggested Karan should file a complaint against the woman and approach the high court, another felt cops are in favour of the "false complainant". "Whenever cases like these come to light, women activists say things like it is an isolated incident and we shouldn't talk about it because then women won't come forward (with complaints of abuse)," says Deepika Bharadwaj, documentary filmmaker.
Why her identity is being concealed, ask several on Twitter
Bedi also questioned why the woman was given special treatment. "She was given access 2 her phone in court & merrily sipping tea with oshiwara cops outside court. I had 2 blur her face as "victim" cannot be revealed even if shes culprit," she wrote on Tuesday. Many supported her, and asked why her identity is being concealed, when she is a culprit herself.
When can a rape victim's name get published legally?
Even if the demand seems justified, IPC Section 228A prohibits revealing the identity of victims in some offenses. If the rape victim's name gets published/printed, the media outlet may face two years of imprisonment, along with a penalty. Only if a police officer gives a written order in good faith for probe or the victim gives written authority, the name can be published.
