Many reputations are tumbling down and many celebrities including journalists, authors, and even a judge stand accused as sexual predators.  It all started with Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta accusing actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment a few days back. Think of the Christian bishop now behind bars in Kerala for allegedly harassing a nun many times over. Women, who were earlier afraid of speaking out against sexual harassment at workplaces, are now mustering enough courage to tweet the treatment they received at the hands of bosses, colleagues, etc.  

“Hands on our thighs (on our skin above skirts)”, “forcible kissing me while keeping me shoved against the door”, “touched me inappropriately (hand around waist)”, “straight up harassed about sexting”, incessant phone calls as well as blackmail about those who dared to complain, these are just a few of the numerous accounts of alleged sexual harassment faced by young women across the country now open in public domain. Many journalists, present and former, belonging to many national English dailies, an author and a judge, etc are now accused of such sexual misconduct. This comes a year after the #MeToo campaign around allegations of sexual harassment against the powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein gained currency in the US, the movement seems to have touched a chord in India. Over the last two days, women have recounted, on social media, the sexual harassment, both overt and subtle, that they have faced at the hands of powerful men in the film and music industry, in media, the publishing world as well as in the judiciary. 

The fresh wave of allegations emerged three days ago, after a woman accused Utsav Chakraborty, then a member of comic group All India Bakchod (AIB), of sending her objectionable photos and messages. The woman’s allegations were backed by several others who claimed to have undergone a similar experience with Chakraborty. Shortly after, AIB issued an apology statement and announced that Chakraborty was no longer an AIB employee. Harassment of women at workplace is not new. This is still continuing despite a 1997 Supreme Court order to appoint Vishakha Committees in big establishments to stop such cases. As time passes, more cases will come out and many more reputations will tumble down, no doubt.