Following recent sex crimes in India which made international headlines, Bollywood Hungama’s Subhash K Jha asked a few Indian celebs for their thoughts on women’s safety in the country…
Shabana Azmi: “The threat of violence is a tool for pushing women from enjoying the freedoms that are rightfully theirs. We need to revisit notions of masculinity and question why it is about exercising power and rippling muscles. Why is energy not invested in compassion, respect and equality? At the end of the day, all sections of society have to do some introspection and take responsibility for how, at our end, we can help transform a mindset that is misogynist.”
Dia Mirza: “I don’t feel safe in my own country. My family fears for my safety and the safety of women more than ever before. There are some seriously sick minds plaguing our nation and it’s time to address this epidemic. By pushing away the ugly truth about the existence of perverse minds in our society we won’t be able to help change/educate or bring any kind of reform.”
Pooja Bedi: “There is no country that is free of crime. What is disturbing is the political lip-service and lack of concrete measures to step up law enforcement and judiciary in such a high regard.”
Kalki Koechlin: “No, women are not safe on the streets because the majority of the population’s mindset is that women should not be on the streets at all.”
Esha Gupta: “I don’t feel safe at all.”
Tapsee Pannu: “I don’t feel safe anywhere at any time. I feel even fatal diseases can’t equal the fear of rape that women feel.”
Reema Kagti: “No woman in India has reason to feel safe on the streets.”
Pooja Bhatt: “Women have no reason to feel safe in their own homes when lawyers make comments about setting their daughters on fire. It is the darkest time for women in India with regards to their safety, health and wellbeing.”
Divya Dutta: “Maybe in a city like Mumbai women feel relatively safe. But yes, there is a lurking fear of danger within me.”
Tisca Chopra: “I don’t feel safe. And worse, I worry for my 2-year old daughter. The issue is very complex. Its origins go back a long way and run deep into societal prejudices. Serious thought is required on a national level.”
Shweta Prasad: “I feel safe in Mumbai. But still, there is a curfew on my outings. If I am later than usual in returning home I feel the need to inform my family, as they worry if I am late. However, safety for women on our streets is not a reality. I know of friends and cousins who get teased and physically attacked.” – bollywoodhungma.com