WOMEN IN WORKPLACE
Another young woman complained to the Managing Editor of Tehelka a fearless magazine promoted by Tarun Tejpal that the man attempted molesting her in a passenger lift in Goa two times. Tejpal issued a lengthy statement stating that he regretted his behaviour which he claimed was due to bad lapse of judgement and awful misreading of the situation- suggesting that the episode could have been consensual. In true moral hypocrisy, he has sought to atone for his sin by rescuing himself from the editor ship for a period of 6 months( Any one remembers the SC verdict in TANSI Case which called for atonement by the accused?) All hell has broken loose with Arun jaitley claiming that since Tejpal is a Congress sympathiser he gets support.
Gender disparity has been there from age immemorial. Women have been facing such situations at households where housemaids are being misused by their sahebs, You can watch adventerous advancements in crowed buses, Why even in an enlightended society like USA, a President was embroiled in a sex scandal. John Kennedy Marlyn Manroe is a folklore We have had Bersculonis, Edward Heiths who were also embroiled in sex scandals. When I was young, I was also continuously attracted towards the opposite sex and had tried to woo some of them even though my moral upbringing forbade me from taking advantages when opportunities existed. It may also be due to fear of getting caught.
When you claim equality of gender and willingly take up jobs in male bastions, we must be prepared to face the challenges. The women in question could have on their own retaliated boldly including indulging in physical assault. Former Kerala CM late EK Nayanar once remarked as long as women are there there will be flesh trade( Pen undengil, pen vanibam undagum) He also dismissed rape as being akin to drinking a cup of tea in America. He earned the wrath of many activits even though he was only stating the obvious. All of us are not Swami Vivekanand to practice celibacy and call all women as sisters. God has gifted an uncanny sense of premonition to every women. She can judge by the looks, speeches and body language of men as to what he intends to do next. Very few of modern day women are gullible as they are economically independent.
Not long ago, IAS officer Ruben went to court seeking to punish the celebrity cop KPS Gill for having patted her on the back in a socialising party where drinks were served.
I am not at all dismissive of the seriousness of such attempts to molest women in working places but these were to be expected and women need to be cautious They can ensure their own safety in many ways. They can be fearless and forthright if they feel their boss is crossing the limits of decency. They can bring this matter at an early stage because such crimes are not committed at the spur of the moment and are done after a meticulous planning.
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