“It’s beyond shameful,” says Shweta Pandit in response to singer Hema Sardesai’s defence of Anu Malik, who has been accused of sexual harassment by Pandit and fellow singers Sona Mohapatra and Neha Bhasin. On Monday, 4 November, Sardesai shared a note on social media questioning why those who have spoken out about Malik have been “silent for so many years”. She called him a “great artiste who respected true talent and who respectfully gave me songs on merit alone”, and suggested that the women were targeting Malik for publicity.
Pandit shared her outrage at Sardesai’s statements on Twitter saying,
“This is beyond shameful. Does this statement mean that a childabuse victim and a rape victim are equally involved in getting themselves abused? Seriously? What are you thinking? Disgusted with this statement... that too from a woman! Highly insensitive and ignorant.”Shweta Pandit, Singer
Sona Mohapatra has also slammed Hema Sardesai’s statements and accused her of victim blaming. She tweeted,
“Somebody tell Ms Sardesai that yes, it takes two bodies to even get raped but that does not mean the person getting raped is to be blamed? Also, this is called victim shaming and it is the reason why minors, survivors and their families haven’t formally complained? Sick, silly woman.”Sona Mohapatra, Singer
Read Hema Sardesai’s full statement here:
Anu Malik stepped down from Indian Idol in October last year following allegations of sexual harassment, but was later reinstated as a judge on the show.
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