#MeToo: Taxi Fabric co-founder Sanket Avlani accused of sexual misconduct
What's the story
With politicians, actors, media persons, comedians, and a host of other people having been accused of sexual harassment, the #MeToo movement in India seems to be nearing full swing.
Now, Mumbai-based designer and co-founder of the Taxi Fabric art and lifestyle brand, Sanket Avlani, has been accused by a former co-worker of repeated sexual misconduct.
Several other women have come forward too.
Here's more.
Details
Avalani would send lewd messages and photos of his genitals
Avlani's accuser is Swapna Nair, a creative entrepreneur based out of Mumbai, who had worked with Avlani several years ago.
Nair, who took to social media to break her silence, described in minute detail the acts of harassment by Avlani, all of which were virtual.
Avlani would send her lewd messages and photos of his genitals despite her explicitly saying no multiple times.
Twitter Post
READ: The entire post by Swapna Nair alleging sexual misconduct
Sanket Avlani, founder of @TaxiFabric #TimesUp because some men cannot keep it in their pants. Honestly, this story is so embarrassing, I wanted to keep it anonymous. Thank you @TheRestlessQuil for giving me the courage to speak. I bow down to the Devi (Goddess) in you. Thank you pic.twitter.com/4hSL3K8R6i
— Swapna Nair (@nairswapna) October 13, 2018
Others
After Nair broke her silence, dozens of women came forward
Once Nair broke her silence, the floodgates opened.
She said that since breaking her silence, she had been inundated with messages from other women, accusing the designer of similar, or even worse behavior.
Avlani, for his part, has maintained complete radio silence so far, and Taxi Fabric has issued a minimalist statement which essentially amounts to 'no comment till further notice'.
Twitter Post
Another woman recounts how Avlani misbehaved with her
Dear Swapna, You are not alone. #metoo Here's my story with the same person. And the shameful part is that people who work with him now and on his recent projects have known this story and still support him! Shame on all of you too! https://t.co/3gB2nluSuD pic.twitter.com/QGfwl1ZNRA
— Ayesha Kapadia (@ayesha_kapadia) October 13, 2018
Twitter Post
Economic Times journalist says Avlani harassed her in 2012/13
You're not alone, @nairswapna. I'm glad someone finally called him out. He used to send such weird messages to me when I repeatedly said NO, around 2012/13. He had a girlfriend back then. He sent sexts to her friends too I had heard. Sanket is a sick man and his #timesup. #MeToo https://t.co/T2rV2EPE4l
— Shephali Bhatt (@ShephaliBhatt) October 13, 2018
Twitter Post
More women are coming forward by the hour
This is never ending! I have had sooooooo many women come up to me and talk about @sanketavlani. The numbers are increasing by the hour. More stories to come out tomorrow. #advertising #metoo #metooindia #timesup @maitreyeeraje so sorry to hear about this. We hear you. https://t.co/X2JGYZuOAh
— Swapna Nair (@nairswapna) October 14, 2018
Fallout
Avlani might face a similar fate like AIB
Recently, both Avlani and Taxi Fabric were featured on a Netflix mini-series, 'The Creative Indians', which is still running.
Given the fact that All India Bakchod (AIB) had its content removed from Hotstar following sexual harassment allegations against comedian Utsav Chakraborty, Avlani might face the same fate.
Netflix, however, has not commented on the allegations so far.