What started as lone allegation of sexual harassment against Nana Patekar, an acclaimed Bollywood actor, steadily gained momentum leading to another major #MeToo campaign. The long and growing list includes, national award winning  [1], Union minister and long-term editor  [2], among  [3],  [4], a senior social activist, and even a senior executive at  [5].

Given the numerous tumbling skeletons from many a revered closets, lots of peers, trade associations and political leaders have come in support of the victims. Cancellations and condemnations have followed these accusations. Mumbai Police have also begun investigations into the accusations. Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi has also proposed to set up a  [6] to investigate the cases in order to review and recommend changes to the existing legal framework. Even as these positive measures are being taken to address the emerging allegations, there has also been attempts to shame the victims or colour these accusations. BJP leaders have come  [7] the conduct of the woman who accused M.J. Akbar. This denial is also happening among the liberal community. When a famed cultural critic and journalist Sadanand Menon, was  [8] of sexual harassment, artists defended him by stating that the allegations were ambiguous, without even an enquiry. Asian College of Journalism, where he and the victims were associated, rather than initiate a enquiry claimed that they were being targeted for being ‘liberal’. The cases have not yet been enquired, by the artist community or the institute.

While the developments do offer a certain optimism about the struggle against sexual violence and gender equality in work spaces, it has to be noted that such movements have remained confined to high-level white collar employments and in celebrity media spaces. There have been numerous reports of sexual harassment of women in the informal and blue collar work, be it as domestic maids, garment workers, construction workers are in factories. They face a much greater battle, as they remain invisible and with little social support to come out openly. In the absence of media focus, these workers have suffered in silence or found micro methods to protect themselves. It is for the working class organisations and unions to work towards creating an ecosystem where they too can openly call out the accusers and seek justice. It also would act as a deterrent against predatory behaviour, enabling a much better work environment for all. Unless it spreads across working class population, this phenomenon, will only be yet another moment rather than a movement, in the struggle against sexual exploitation and gender justice.

Venkat T., Srividya Tadepalli and Thomas Manuel

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