To My FELLOW POET LEENA MANIMEKALAI,

To My FELLOW POET 

LEENA MANIMEKALAI,

(*Facebook Anaamikaa Rishi)

October 19 at 10:10 PM · 

Dear LEENA,

You are one of the few who is open to dialogue, I know. Many out there in our realm, despite all their tall claims about ‘freedom of speech and expression’ rarely allow others to voice their view on any subject, but nip it in the bud in the name of caste creed colour and what not. Hence I wish to write my impressions on the issue you and others have taken up in right earnest.

First and foremost, I want to record here that I know you to be a forthright person, one who has suffered more terrible slanders than this and had faced them single-handed, with grit and determination. And, even at those terrible times you had your friends and supporters who stood by you, I remember.

As an avid reader of Poetry I know you have penned poignant poems. Though I have not seen movies in the past one decade or so, I know you make meaningful movies with social concern, not like the usual junks minting money, portraying women in a demeaning manner and have the audacity to voice high-sounding words on women empowerment and gender equality and about treating women with the respect due to them.

And, you are not selective like some women from the fraternity who raise their voice against predators of their opposite wing or party but prefer to keep mum when it comes to the predators of their own wing or political party. And I know you are not backed by any political party to be able to say anything and get away with it.

Even in this issue the views expressed by you and Dr.Shalini are refreshingly honest compared to those cliche type articles that are churned out in the name of socio-psychological analysis of the issue at hand. You have spoken about the way the cine-field, especially the main-stream cinema portray women, all too often, if not always, as exhibit pieces and secondary citizens.

Same way Dr.Shalini has spoken against the way the whole issue here is given the colour of ‘upper-class, fair-skinned women coming out and ‘playing the role’ of victim when it is not the case really.

I saw your interview where you were being asked questions about the Me Too Movement and about that ‘psychologically terrifying moment’ that you had suffered at the hands of some X from the film world. The calm and poised manner in which you answered is commendable.

Why keep saying that the whole society is against you? Aren’t there those supporting you? I think they are in sufficient number. Also, when even people like you who have always been open and vocal about social injustices took so much time to muster the courage to speak about these things, is it right on your part to expect all others to come at once and be open about their stand in this issue?

There are one-time offenders and serial offenders. Whatever be the case, the resulting trauma in the psyche of the affected woman is the same. So, it is incorrect on the part of those who expect and insist that the affected woman should distinguish between the two. Why should she?

Yet, a man might have erred when young or once (I want to repeat, I am not taking his side)but now leading the life of a real gentleman. When an accusation against him comes at this stage won’t it affect his family members also, for no fault of theirs?

And, won’t the fact that even brave, outspoken women taking so much time to come out and speak cause a great psychological impact in the minds of young women? Won’t it hinder them from fighting against such injustices then and there?

If the concerned ‘accused’ happens to be a constant offender, won’t he be emboldened to harass more and more hapless women or newcomers to the field if the women suffered at his hands prefer to keep quiet for so long?

Can it be said for sure that no woman would use this opportunity to slander a man against whom she has some grouse? How is the Movement going to weed off such elements?

Also, when women who have come out to speak against go on complaining about social ostracism and victimization _ it is there, true, yet _ won’t it cause fear and apprehension in the minds of young girls and prevent them from fighting against such injustices meted out to them?

Such questions notwithstanding I STAND BY YOU AS SO MANY OTHERS, EXPRESSING MY SOLIDARITY.

My best wishes to your goodself

Latha Ramakrishnan