Not everyone has taken well to this online outrage and many people have come forth to criticise the movement terming it 'toxic feminism'. Editor's note: Following Rituparna Chatterjee's report — Is India’s #MeToo moment here? Women are angry and they are naming and shaming their abusers — Firstpost will publish a series of articles collating personal accounts of those who have made allegations of harassment, along with responses from those who have been accused of such behaviour. This is an ongoing exercise and will be updated to reflect new developments. If you wish to draw our attention to instances of harassment you may have experienced or witnessed, tweet to us @firstpost with the hashtag #MeToo. *** As the #MeToo movement has finally hit home in India, several women have bravely shared their ordeal of how they suffered sexual harassment at the hands of powerful men and co-workers. Many well-known comedians, journalists and actors have been named and shamed on social media in the past few days as allegations of sexual misconduct against them, continue to tumble out. However, not everyone has taken well to this online outrage and many people have come forth to criticise the movement, some even terming it "toxic feminism". While we are hellbent on bringing #MeToo to India, the amount of chaos we are creating without proper proof or seriousness,its not only strange bt its also going to take away the gravity of the entire movement. Toxic Masculinity and Toxic Feminism both can be equally dangerous! — Alok Sharma (@toonfactory) October 8, 2018 While some Twitter users have pointed out that people should not make it about only about men, there are others who have resorted to defaming the movement and calling names to the women crusading it. Warning: Some of the tweets contain strong language. Reader discretion advised. Whereas another Twitter user said that "this is not feminism,...this is emotional outburst and rage" to defend his criticism of "people's court and media trial". Replying on a Twitter thread carrying the news report of sexual abuse charges against AIB comedian Gursimran Khamba, the Twitter user Arko Chakraborty wrote: This is just a revenge by a spiteful ex.. if this is harassment...well every other guy and girl has and has been harassed. getting angry, higher vocal tone, few swears if is harassment we are entering age of extreme conservativeness. women will be affected most. — Arko Chakraborty (@arko4493) October 8, 2018 Journalist Madhavan Narayan commented on the movement saying that "random experiences are being clubbed under a single thread". He pointed out that though the outrage is in "oversupply", there is a "lack of conceptual clarity" around it in our culture. India's #metoo is going the Indian way. All sorts of random experiences are being clubbed under a single head. But sab chalta hai. Just like our street traffic. As a culture we lack conceptual clarity but outrage is in oversupply. #MeTooIndia — Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) October 6, 2018 Interestingly, woman journalist Shubha Shetty tweeted that it was time to make the internet-space less "scary" by sharing stories of "when men have been wonderful" to women. Shubha has earlier also defended journalist Siddharth Bhatia who has been accused of sexual harassment. Ladies, let’s make this place less scary. How about sharing stories when men, especially strangers, were wonderful to you? I remember this young taxi driver who drove me home on a hopelessly rainy night alone... — Shubha Shetty (@shubhaS) October 7, 2018 There are many others who are raising fingers on the method of online disclosures to out sexual offenders but there is no denying the fact that this movement has led to a social awakening and women have been empowered to come out and share their stories after having kept quiet for long for the fear of losing out on their careers and general social stigma. We will update this article with new development<doc-sep>Vikas Bahl, Alok Nath, Kailash Kher and others have been accused of harassment. Vikas Bahl, Alok Nath, Kailash Kher and others have been accused of harassment. The #MeToo movement in India gained steam after Tanushree Dutta once again accused Nana Patekar of harassing her on the sets of a film back in 2008. Her interview gave courage to many others to speak out loud and since then, women from all walks of life have been vocal about the episodes that have happened with them. Many from the film and music industry have been called out by actresses, journalists, fans and others. 1. Nana Patekar Tanushree Dutta alleged that Nana Patekar tried to harass her on the sets of the film Horn Ok Pleassss back in 2008. Dutta had filed a complaint at the time but no action was taken back then. It was after Dutta recounted the allegations again recently that many women came forward with their #MeToo stories. Talking about the matter, Nana Patekar said, “What should I say? I said 10 years ago. The truth which was 10 years ago remains the same today and will continue to be tomorrow as well.” Also Read | Tanushree Dutta files written complaint against Nana Patekar, Mumbai Police begins probe 2. Alok Nath TV writer and director Vinta Nanda alleged in a Facebook post that Alok Nath sexually assaulted her almost 19 years ago. She also alleged that Alok Nath harassed lead actress Navneet Nishan on the set of the show. Following her accusation, actor Sandhya Mridul has come forward with her account of being harassed by the actor while they were shooting for a telefilm. Actor Deepika Amin also came forward with her allegations against Nath. Another woman who worked on the film Hum Saath Saath Hain accused him of harassment. Alok Nath’s lawyer now says that the actor is planning to file a defamation case against Vinta Nanda and Sandhya Mridul. Also Read | After Vinta Nanda and Sandhya Mridul, Deepika Amin accuses Alok Nath of harassment Alok Nath has been accused of harassment by many women. Alok Nath has been accused of harassment by many women. 3. Vikas Bahl A female employee at Phantom Films alleged that Vikas had sexually harassed her when the crew of Bombay Velvet was in Goa for promotions. She alleged that Vikas insisted on dropping her off to her hotel room and harassed her in an inebriated state. Vikas Bahl has now threatened to file defamation cases against his partners at Phantom Films, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, as they have spoken about the aforementioned case to the press. The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association has issued a show-cause notice to Vikas Bahl. Also Read | Kangana Ranaut on Vikas Bahl: He would bury his face in my neck, breathe in the smell of my hair 4. Rajat Kapoor Actor-filmmaker Rajat Kapoor has been accused of sexual misconduct by a few women on Twitter. A journalist said that he asked her really uncomfortable questions. Another woman said that almost ten years ago, Rajat used to call her “incessantly” from actor Saurabh Shukla’s phone. The woman also added that Rajat Kapoor asked her if she knew any empty houses and then she realised what he had meant. Rajat Kapoor later apologised. Also Read | Rajat Kapoor accused of sexual misconduct, the actor-filmmaker apologises Rajat Kapoor has since issued an apology. Rajat Kapoor has since issued an apology. 5. Kailash Kher A journalist came forward with her allegations against Kailash Kher. Her account said that the singer touched her inappropriately when she went to interview him. Even a fan from Kolkata said that Kher had been harassing her. Next, singer Sona Mohapatra also came forward with her allegations where she accused the singer of harassing her on multiple occasions. Kailash Kher issued an apology on October 8. Also Read | Singer Sona Mohapatra accuses Kailash Kher of harassment 6. Vairamuthu Singer Chinmayi recalled that at least on two occasions Vairamuthu made her feel uncomfortable and the singer claimed she was also told that “she won’t have a career” should she fail to “cooperate”. However, Vairamuthu on Wednesday denied all charges. Other women have also accused Vairamuthu of sexual misconduct. Vairamuthu has denied all sexual misconduct charges leveled against him. Vairamuthu has denied all sexual misconduct charges leveled against him. Also Read | Lyricist Vairamuthu rubbishes sexual misconduct allegations, singer Chinmayi calls him ‘liar’ 7. M Mukesh A casting director alleged that she was harassed by Mukesh in Chennai while working on the Malayalam quiz show Koteeswaran. He called her room multiple times and even shifted his room to the one next to hers. Mukesh claimed he has no memory of working with her. Also Read | Malayalam actor Mukesh reacts to sexual misconduct allegations 8. Abhijeet Bhattacharya A flight attendant alleged that she was sexually harassed by Bollywood singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya in a pub in Kolkata. Abhijeet retaliated as he told indianexpress.com, “Most of the fat and ugly girls are blaming and I wasn’t born at that time.” Also Read | Abhijeet Bhattacharya accused of sexual harassment, singer says fat, ugly girls blaming people 9. Varun Gover In 2001, Varun Grover allegedly harassed a woman during the rehearsal of a play. Grover has denied all charges and put out a statement on Twitter saying “NEVER touched any person inappropriately in life.” Director Anurag Kashyap said that he “refuses to believe any allegations about him (Varun)”. Varun Grover has issued a detailed statement regarding the harassment episode. Varun Grover has issued a detailed statement regarding the harassment episode. Also Read | Varun Grover accused of sexual harassment, lyricist-screenwriter denies claims 10. Raghu Dixit An aspiring singer, whose story was shared by singer Chinmayi Sripaada, revealed how Raghu Dixit once tried to kiss her in his studio when she came for a song recording. Chinmayi shared another tweet revealing the story of a singer who said Raghu asked her to sit on his lap during one of their meetings at his studio. Raghu Dixit issued an apology. Also Read | Raghu Dixit accused of sexual harassment, singer apologises This is a developing story.<doc-sep>
With India under the firm grasp of the #MeToo movement presently, numerous women from all walks of life have come out sharing stories of their abuse at the hands of powerful men from various backgrounds. Here is a list of some of the prominent ones who landed in hot waters after #MeToo’s breakout in India. 1- Nana Patekar Tanushree Dutta was the first to step out breaking silence about getting sexually harassed by Nana Patekar on the sets of Horn OK Please in 2008. Patekar addressed the claims stating that legal action will be taken against the ‘false accusations.’ 2- Alok Nath Actor Alok Nath was accused of sexually assaulting TV writer and director Vinta Nanda who also alleged that he also harassed actor Navneet Nishan as well. After Nanda, actors Sandhya Mridul and Deepika Amin along with one more women, stepped forward with their own accounts of enduring sexual misconduct at the hands of Nath. In response, Nath’s lawyer has stated that the actor will be filing a defamation suit against Nanda and Mridul. 3- Vikas Bahl Director of acclaimed film Queen, Bahl was first accused by a female worker on the sets of his film in 2016 who had alleged that he insisted on dropping her off at her hotel room and harassed her in an intoxicated condition. After those allegations Kanagana Ranaut, lead actor of his film, stepped forward accusing Bahl of inappropriate behavior like ‘smelling her hair’ and ‘hugging her tightly.’ The accused has threatened of filing a defamation suit against Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane for speaking out about the case to the press. 4- Rajat Kapoor A few women on Twitter stepped forward accusing actor and director Rajat Kapoor of sexual harassment. One of the accusers, a journalist alleged that Kapoor had gone on to ask her inappropriate questions while another claimed that he called her continuously from actor Saurabh Shukla’s phone adding that he had also asked her if she knew any vacant houses which later grasped the meaning of. Kapoor had later issued an apology for his inappropriate behavior. 5- Kailash Kher The singer was accused of inappropriately touching a journalist when she went to interview him. Singer Sona Mohapatra along with another woman stepped forward accusing him of sexual harassment on several occasions. Kher also issued an apology following the allegations. 6- Karim Morani Acclaimed Bollywood producer was accused of drugging, raping and threatening an aspirant actor who remained anonymous with her account. As of now, the issue remains unaddressed by the accused. 7- Sajid Khan The Indian director came under fire after actors Saloni Chopra, Rachel White and Simran Suri along with journalist Karishma Upadhyayin shared their episodes of harassment at the hands of Khan. 8- Amitabh Bachchan The veteran Bollywood star was accused by celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani asserting that his take on #MeToo is a lie with his ‘image of being an activist’ getting diminished soon. 9- MJ Akbar The Minister of State for External Affairs was accused by a dozen female journalists of sexual harassment with him issuing his resignation today. 10- Abhijeet Bhattacharya The Indian singer was accused of allegedly harassing a flight attendant at a pub in Kolkata to which he had replied: “Most of the fat and ugly girls are blaming and I wasn’t born at that time.” 11- Prashant Jha The political editor and bureau chief at Hindustan Times had stepped down from both of his posts after he was accused of sexual harassment by another employee at the publication Avantika Mehta. 12- Babu Haabi An anonymous accuser alleged the singer-rapper of harassment and rape. The accusations were later refuted by Haabi. 13- Gursimran Khamba Indian comedian from All India Bakchod was accused by an unidentified woman of forcefully kissing a woman as well as emotional abuse. While Khamba admitted to his toxic behavior, the harassment allegations were turned down by him. He was also temporarily suspended from AIB. 14- Chetan Bhagat Indian writer was faced with accusations by multiple women of him sending inappropriate messages. He later apologized for the ‘flirtatious exchnage’ while denying other allegations.