Published 12:53 IST, November 15th 2019
Sona Mohapatra lashes at Anu Malik's statement, says, 'go to a sex-rehab or counselling'
"You aren’t a role model. You could always take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling," wrote Sona Mohapatra slamming Anu Malik's statement on Thursday.
After Anu Malik released a statement on the sexual allegations against him by singer Neha Bhasin, Shweta Pandit and other women, Sona Mohapatra responded to his letter. Sona Mohapatra has been one of the major names to have named Anu Malik in the #MeToo movement last October. Recently, she lashed out at the makers of Indian Idol 11, which Anu Malik recently joined as a judge, for getting the veteran on board. Neha Bhasin too opened up, a few days ago, on her experience with Anu Malik when she was 21 years old. Mohapatra wrote:
Hello Mr Anu Malik,
Responding to your letter from last night which is posted on my timeline too.
1) You were waiting for the ‘truth’ to surface you said? The only ‘truths’ that have surfaced after I called you out last year is that many more women have told their stories of sexual harassment, assault experiences with you. Shweta Pandit told of her trauma of how you scarred her at a young age of fifteen! A kid. Danica D’Souza, Ex Indian Idol Producer told of how you harassed crew & contestants alike. Caralisa Monteiro spoke up too. Neha Bhasin spoke up a fortnight ago about her own story with you, she was only twenty one & many more who aren’t famous did too & in detail. Alisha Chinai too corroborated the pattern & spoke her truth. None of these women are connected or have anything to gain by speaking up about the predatory behaviour of one powerful, rich, perverted person
2) ‘unverified’ allegations you say? These are multiple testimonies of independent sane women speaking coherently & they have a common thread & story. What about the ‘mental health’ of all these people who have gone through this traumatic experience because of you? Did you care about them over these years? What about the mental health of the good India & all the victims & their families when they see you flaunting yourself on TV rubbing it in? Your free pass in society & encouraging others like you?
3. Why should we diesel up now that you are on TV you said? Well, you have no right to be platformed on National TV till you make amends. 1.3 billion people exist in India. Not everyone needs to make crores on TV to survive or be ‘judge’ to young people whose safety they jeopardise. You aren’t a role model. You could always take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling or somewhere to reflect on how to behave better. Ask your kids to do a hard days job & earn a salary. They are adults. I started working at 22. Open a Biriyani shop, Bindi shop or any other business. Do whatever it takes. Stay away from the public eye? Show some remorse? Say sorry? If you did, this would not have happened. There you go! You answered your own question.
4. Being a father of two daughters doesn’t prove anything. Clearly it hasn’t held your libido back. There is no link to being a husband, father, brother & being a predator.
5. Yes, the show must go on! Without you. Don’t jeopardise the hard work of so many people & the dreams of so many contestants just for your personal glory & ambitions.
6. Step Down Malik.
7. & YES, please do go to court. I request you to do so. Not just these 10 testimonies, we shall ensure ten times those are presented for the world to see. Let’s set a precedent for India, Mr Anu Malik. Let’s make sure no one feels like behaving like you have over the decades. I have the utmost faith.
8. Justice shall indeed be served.
ANU MALIK'S STATEMENT
It has been over a year that I have been accused of something that I haven’t done. I have been silent all this while as I was waiting for the truth to surface on its own. But I realize that my silence on the matter has been misconstrued as my weakness.
Ever since the false and unverified allegations were levelled against me, it has not only ruined my reputation, but affected me and my family’s mental health, left us traumatised and tarnished my career. I feel helpless, like I am being cornered and suffocated.
It’s disgraceful that at this age, at this stage in my life I have to watch the most slanderous words and horrifying incidents being associated with my name.
Why wasn’t this spoken about before? Why do these allegations resurface only when I back on television, which is currently my only source of livelihood?
Being a father of two daughters, I can’t imagine committing the acts that I am accused of, let alone do it.
Fighting a battle on social media is an endless process, at the end of which nobody wins. If this keeps on continuing, I will have no option but to knock on the doors of the courts to safeguard myself.
I would like to thank my well-wishers who have been with me and my family through this dark phase. I don’t know how much more slander and dirt my family and I can take.
The show must go on. But behind this happy face, I’m in pain. I’m in a dark space.
And justice is all I want.
Anu Malik
Updated 13:22 IST, November 15th 2019