#MeTooIndia: Will it change the way men behave?

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#MeTooIndia: Will it change the way men behave?

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• FIRST PERSPECTIVE - YES.

1. Loss of job: Minister MJ Akbar lost his job after accusations came in. Actor Nana Patekar is not showing any remorse. Both have filed criminal defamations against their accusers.
2. Change will still come: Why? The big weapon in the hands of the oppressed is to tell the oppressor that his power is not absolute, and will not go unchallenged.
3. Workplace change: #MeToo is doing precisely that in the workplace. The next generation of women will not believe that a price has to be paid for success.
4. Male domination: Male domination over women has been institutionalised and physical - through harassment, rape, acid  attacks, domestic violence etc.
5. Rattled men: Many organisations are rattled. Phantom Films is dissolved. Big actors have moved away from many films. Some are forced to step down from their posts. Some films are stalled. Conversations are now loud.
6. An alliance of sisterhood: While men's attitudes may not change much, their actions will.
7. Power of disruption: #MeToo has upset all calculations of men. If their jobs are lost, reputations sullied and lives upset, they will understand that language of power for sure.

• SECOND PERSPECTIVE - NO.

1. Blowing away the veil of shame and taboo: The #MeToo movement has exposed the obnoxious behaviour of men across domains. This surely can help.
2. Delhi gang rape case 2012: The public mood was for death penalty for the rapists. But has that led to a stopping of such crimes today? Not at all.
3. Giving teeth to law : Making laws is one thing. Ensuring the whole system is strong enough to execute those laws is quite another.
4. Changing the vocabulary: Instead of using "complainant and accused" we are using "victim and perpetrator". This is a bad trend.
5. Fundamental precepts of criminal justice system: 'Innocent until proven guilty' and 'Beyond reasonable doubt' are the key ideas. Those complaining have to formally prove their charges.
6. Direction of criminal laws: Our general direction now is "stringent grounds for arrest and liberal for bail".
7. Respect for due process: In the long run, only this will strengthen the movement.

• THIRD PRESPECTIVE - MAYBE.

1. Attempts to derail: The storm of #MeToo is strong, and hence many attempts are being made to derail and delegitimise it.
2. Relentless surge of testimonies: Many women are constantly sharing stories. It is anarchic and revolutionary. The suppression was over a long period of time, and the resistance is sudden.
3. Men need to hold themselves accountable: Some men are ready to listen, instrospect and let women lead this process. Conscience and fear both play their part.
4. No more business as usual: Definitely the perpetrators know that they cannot simply carry on with their harassment like earlier.
5. Fury to be followed by steadfastness: Women have to ensure this.
6. Go beyond the elite circle: #MeToo has to reach out to the broader mass of women across India.

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