Women, transgender groups condemn mob molestation incidents, demand arrests
HYDERABAD: Women and transgender organisations on Tuesday condemned the mob molestation incidents involving actresses Nidhhi Agerwal and Samantha Ruth Prabhu during film promotion events last month, saying the attacks reflected men’s behaviour, not women’s clothing.
Addressing a press conference at Somajiguda Press Club, the Women and Transgender Organisations Joint Action Committee said recent remarks by a Telugu actor linking women’s attire to sexual violence amounted to victim-blaming and strengthened rape culture
Victim-blaming shifts focus from perpetrators
The committee said repeated questions such as why a woman dressed a certain way or was out late diverted attention from perpetrators and gave “a free pass” to molesters and rapists. Accountability, it said, must rest solely with those committing violence.
Citing online abuse faced by actress Anasuya Bharadwaj and singer Chinmayi Sripaada for speaking against patriarchal views, the group said cyber harassment had become an extension of the same culture. It alleged that private photographs of Anasuya, including family and holiday pictures, were circulated online without consent, calling it a serious invasion of privacy.
Media debates accused of misogyny
The organisations criticised what they described as incessant debates on television and YouTube that mock and shame women’s choices for ratings. Such content, they said, normalised the idea that women’s bodies were public property and discouraged women from speaking out.
They also rejected narratives portraying Telugu men as lacking self-control, calling them insulting and harmful stereotypes. Using “culture” to police women’s behaviour was described as a distortion of Telugu values, which, the group said, should respect women’s autonomy and freedom.
Demand for arrests, appeal to public
The committee demanded immediate arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attacks on actresses. It appealed to television and digital platforms to stop telecasts that demean women and urged the public to stop consuming and sharing what it termed toxic content.
