Alok Nath accused of rape

The #MeToo movement is gaining momentum, and to our shock, we’re seeing members of the entertainment business previously thought to be righteous fall from grace one after the other, like dominoes. And now writer Vinita Nanda has accused Actor Alok Nath of sexual harassment.

In a Facebook post, the writer of the popular 1990s TV show Tara, has opened up about how Nath sexually violated her nearly two decades ago. “I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years,” she writes, adding, “Irony is that the man, the predator in question here is the actor par excellence who is known as the most #Sanskaari (Cultured) person in the film and television industry.”

She also details individual encounters with the “predator”, including a time when she met him after leaving a party in the middle of the night. "I started to walk home on the empty streets… Midway I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car,” she writes.

“I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadn’t just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised. I couldn’t get up for my bed. I told some of my friends but everybody advised me to forget about it and move on,” the writer adds of the horrific ordeal.

The writer’s post has gained immense traction on social media, with many, including celebrities like Mini Mathur and Swara Bhasker sharing the post on Twitter and several others applauding her courage. When we got in touch with Vinita, she says that she was touched by the support she has got for her post. "I took to the social media to let the load off my heart.  I did not expect this reaction. But I am glad people are listening and I am glad I have come out," she says adding that she is relieved to have finally spoken out. "I am feeling so relieved. For years I have not been able to speak out. I do wish this courage had come to me much earlier. I needn't have suffered so much then. I am just feeling so happy that we are in that space where women will be able to get justice and support today that was not there five years ago."

Amidst the furore, it was but obvious that a response was expected from the alleged perpetrator, Alok Nath. And a response did come, one that was perplexing and appalling in equal measure. “Neither I am denying this nor I would agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it as for the matter if it has come out, it will be stretched,” said Alok Nath in an interview with a news channel. When asked how he felt about people questioning his sanskaari image, Alok said, “People will say anything to spoil the image. Leave my image, whatever has been said, it is absurd.” He also commented on how he felt about Vinita making the allegation, saying, “At one time she used to be such a good friend... today she said such a big thing. In a way, it was me who made her what she is.” He further went on to make a preposterous claim that, “ It is useless to react on the allegations as in today's world whatever a woman says, only that will be considered. In such a situation, it would be wrong to say anything.”

This insensitive comment didn't go down well with anyone. But Vinita nonchalantly says, "What do you expect him to do? Say I did it."

Since coming out with her story, Vinita has received support from the Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA). CINTAA General Secretary Sushant Singh has said that the accused will be a sent a show-cause notice, and he’s also asked Nanda to file a complaint against “this vile creature”. " The #MeToo movement prompted me as I was not alone. Earlier when I wanted to speak, people asked me to let go and move on with my life but I have lived that pain inside. The environment is so motivating that it has motivated me too to come out. This environment ensures safety and safety ensures freedom."

She further adds urging people “who have suffered at the hands of predators, to come out and say it aloud". "Don’t hold yourselves back. This is a moment for change, so your silence will only hold barriers to its evolution. Speak out. Shout out from the top of the roof,” she says.