A day before the newspapers in the East and the North East were closed for the Vijayadashmi (Dussehra), MJ Akbar, the junior minister for external affairs in the Narendra Modi Government resigned (rather forced to resign) after about 20 women journalists accused him of “predatory” behavior in #MeToo campaign. For the women, it was a pyrrhic victory on the day of Vijayadashami which is supposed to be a celebration of empowerment as Durga keeps on slaying the evil demons allegorically. It is also the day, Lord Rama won his battle against Ravana and recovered Sita after she was abducted. Thus, allegorically, the day is a victory of good over evil. But the problem with the 21st century is that every day a Ravana is born and Sitas are made to suffer. And the sad part of it is Indians like to live in allegories  than real times. The point here is that despite all the #MeToo plain speak by a few and daring women, there are thousands who suffer the ignominy of being constantly under sexual exploitation by their bosses and male co-workers.
The new generation learnt its activism in the comment sections of Facebook pages or constant sharing through Whatsapp and the resounding global success of #MeToo comes as validation that to be “millennial” isn’t always a bad thing. A union minister has resigned without a single march or hunger strike or overnight sit-in — all because of a large-scale mobilisation on the internet.  All it needed was a hashtag . India had its Harvey Weinstein moment, at last. 
But for those millions, the battle is yet to begin. Think of those sales girls and women who are always under the gaze or the boss asks them to stay a little longer even though they worked for more than 12 hours or ask them to join a week-end party. And then there are those who work in call centers, factories and such other establishments. Many belong to the underprivileged sections of society. For them, life is a daily struggle. Time we raise our voice for them.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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