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Twitter indulges in victim-shaming, calls young actress’ molestation allegation a ‘publicity stunt’

After a young actress shared her ordeal of being molested on a flight, few social media users victim-shamed her

A young Bollywood actress, who earlier in the morning today, alleged that she was molested by a co-passenger on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai, is being victim-shamed on social media now. So, a few ‘well-meaning’ felt the need to look at the other side of her story (fair enough) but in the process, went on to term her allegations a ‘publicity stunt’. *slow clap*

And, what else do we expect from a privileged and insensitive society, where one section is completely oblivious or turns a blind eye to others’ hardships.

The actress clearly mentioned that she was unable to record the entire incident as the cabin light was dim and added that the man sitting behind her kept ‘rubbing her back and neck for about 5- 10 minutes. She was able to record a 6-second video when the man kept his foot on her armrest. That 6-second footage is now circulating on social media and while some people are calling it a case of ‘etiquettes’, a few others are terming her allegation ‘a fake drama’.

Here are some of the tweets:

It might be the case of etiquettes than molestation, one should not be judged so quickly
No offense Pic for reference #ZairaWasim pic.twitter.com/zK6vrDXU5F

— prasoon srivastava (@prasoonrocker) December 10, 2017

 

still trying to figure out how the foot reached the neck. She mentioned that she felt foot on her neck & back … #zairawasim

— MRA Deep (@mra_deep) December 10, 2017

Looks like its a Fake Drama #ZairaWasim pic.twitter.com/kihNhg3Sri

— Varun Naidu (@chocovarun) December 10, 2017

Don’t know it’s stunt or what.
But why not deal the situation by slapping ?#ZairaWasim #dangalgirl #RRS

— RajRaushanSrivastava (@RAJRAUSHAN24) December 10, 2017

1/3 Why #ZairaWasim‘s molestation allegations seem fishy and a mere Publicity Stunt?
>This picture means nothing, it (putting foot on armrest) doesn’t amount to any offense, let alone Molestation.
>Why didn’t she Complain to Cabin Crew, Confront Passenger, Request change of Seat? pic.twitter.com/eeiJAio9Qu

— Jagrati Shukla (@JagratiShukla29) December 10, 2017

I guess #ZairaWasim mother who was brave enough to host Paki flag was in flight and still Daughter get molested and she did nothing?

The whole drama seems a publicity stunt@airvistara

— #GauravPradhan (@DrGPradhan) December 10, 2017

Feminism is cancer in our society and it is spreading fast. Parents have a large role to correct this otherwise in few years it will be lethal and will finish family life

— #GauravPradhan (@DrGPradhan) December 10, 2017

After all an Amir Khan product, Will she explain how neck massage done by feet from behind in the flight

— ParambathP (@ParambathP) December 10, 2017

 

Lady required media attention n wanted to be in limelight. @airvistara would hv taken action if it was really so.

— RANGARAJANJI (@grrajan3) December 10, 2017

#ZairaWasim I would suggest please stop crying put yourself together and go to an adult you trust and explain the whole incident. File a sexual assault case against that fucked up man and I’m sure from the flight details we can chalk down the man’s name and address !

— Pooja Singh (@Singhpooja14) December 9, 2017

Wow, that’s ridiculous. Get well soon, you guys.

Thankfully, there were a few sane voices:

 

Travelling alone as a woman was always a nightmare. Every single flight. There’s the leg spreader, the elbow into your breast, the hand that slinks in from the back around the side. As one has grown older thankfully, it has stopped now. Glad Zaira Wasim spoke up.

— Kiran Manral (@KiranManral) December 10, 2017

Don’t bother reading social media replies to the News about what happened with #ZairaWasim . Publicity stunt, why not calling Police etc etc As usual, pure heartless Garbage. And people wonder why women don’t speak up more often.

— José Covaco (@HoeZaay) December 10, 2017

Who are we?
Indians

What do we want?
Women safety

How do we get it?
By blaming and shaming the victim#ZairaWasim

— Bollywood Gandu (@BollywoodGandu) December 10, 2017