Kejriwal worried about women-safety but invited Kailash Kher to perform
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday tweeted about women safety and how we need to make the world a better place. His tweet on the day when Nirbhaya was brutally raped on Delhi's streets didn't sit well with netizens though. The reason you ask? It's because the AAP government showed its ignorance by calling Kailash Kher to perform at Mayur Fest. For those who don't know, Kher has been accused of harassment by multiple women.
Deputy CM Sisodia was quite excited about the fest
The festival which started on December 14 is organized Sahitya Kala Parisad, the cultural wing of Delhi government. About this, Manish Sisodia said, "I am aware that east Delhi has a large number of art and music lovers, so it has been my dream to give east Delhi its own cultural festival." But their hypocrisy couldn't be hidden when they chose Kher to perform.
A glimpse of the fest
Now, the problem: Kher faces serious allegations
When #MeToo storm finally hit India, Kher was one of the most prominent names to be shamed. Singer Sona Mohapatra wrote how he made her uncomfortable and soon many women mustered the courage to speak up. From journalists to singers and even fans, Kher had harassed many with his creepy texts and inappropriate touching. Later he said it was unintentional. Quite obviously.
Sona also started a petition with a hope of change
Notably, Sona also started a petition on Change.org asking the Delhi government to not give Kher a platform. "I am hopeful that the Delhi government, which is keenly aware of women's safety as a critical issue will listen to MeToo survivors and their citizens when we ask them to drop Kailash Kher," Sona said. At the time of press, 7,242 had signed the petition.
But looks like the pleas have fallen on deaf ears
Kher is scheduled to perform soon and it looks his act will be seamless. It should be noted that AAP led Delhi government hosted TM Krishna's concert after it was canceled due to alleged threats by right-wing groups. After an uproar on social media, AAP became the savior then but didn't pay attention to it this time. Taking moral high ground on odd days, forgetting about it on even days?
Talk about women safety, call a predator to perform
The due process has failed women, hence we have #MeToo
Now few may opine Kher shouldn't be ostracized on basis of complaints and he is innocent till proven otherwise. But #MeToo was never about due process. Had it been for this process, women would have stayed silent forever. The campaign is about creating a safe place for women where they can tell what happened to them. Shamed predators going on with their lives is what no pro-#MeToo person needs.
