“All of us who write know how attached we are to our written words; how
emotionally fulfilling it is to see those in print! Whether it is an article, a
paper, being a contributing author or writing your own book. I am no
different.,” mentions Tanushree Bhowmik in a facebook post.
Being a contributing author to
the Bloomsbury Handbook of Indian Cuisine means a lot to me. It gave me the
opportunity to work with someone I respect and look up to, Collen Taylor Sen,
besides many other senior and peers whose work I respect and admire. Yet, when
the book is going to be released today, I have decided to not attend the event.
A decision that sits heavy on me.
The reason. The presence of Suhel
Seth. I find myself unable to attend an event that puts a man like him at the
centre stage. A man who six women, including author Ira Trivedi, accused of
grave sexual misconduct. A man the TATA group refused to work with, a man taken
off the panels of literary festivals. To what end? To lie low and make a comeback
as if nothing ever happened. For him to take centre stage at Loya, a property
owned by the TATA group. While we give lip service to feminist causes and cheer
Suhel Seth in public forums.
It hurts especially badly because
it isn't even as if he has a lot to say on food. Or has incomparable expertise
on matters food and culinary! Not that it would be an excuse to support harassment
and sexual misconduct. But here, he was dispensable but for our culture of
silence and not wanting to rock a boat.
One might always make a comeback
and say but why didn't the women file a formal complaint? Ask our Olympian
wrestlers who did and what they are going through. Ask yourself why the voices
of six women don't hold weight against a man.
#metoomovement
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