So, You Don’t Believe Tanushree Dutta?
Hi Fellow Human,
You’ve come here coz you were skeptical about Tanushree Dutta’s claim. Maybe, you suspect it is a publicity stunt; Maybe, you think she’s a crazy vengeful man-hater whose sole purpose is to accuse people of rape left, right, and center; Maybe, you think Nana Patekar who’s worked for farmers can’t do something like this; Maybe, you disagree with the hashtag #ibelieveher. You believe that this just makes it too easy to make false accusations and puts everyone at risk.
There are a few examples fresh in public mind, where men were falsely accused. Like the Jasleen Kaur case or the Rohtak Sisters case. If I can boil down your concerns into one sentence it is — Will there be justice?
Before we proceed, I’d like you to check this video about Justice and when it is perceived as fair (or unfair).
Although it talks about judges of America, the basic principles I feel are profoundly relevant to civil people everywhere coz we too, even if informally, judge people a lot. I’m sure you do value being perceived as fair.
Let me just recap the relevant principles mentioned there and cover them one-by-one:
- Voice
- Neutrality
- Respect
Voice: It feels fair if people get a voice, a chance to tell their side of the story. A search with #WhyIDidntReport will reveal the dire need for a compassionate place where women can speak up. It is astounding how many times their voices were ignored, resisted, or silenced. Many magazines actively killed their stories. It was so bad many stopped talking about it altogether. #MeToo is giving that opportunity to the women.
May be, you feel #MeToo is imperfect, it leaves out males who were assaulted. Let’s say you also don’t believe in #ibelieveher, but we can collectively create a culture which encourages a person to tell their side of their story completely. True or not, let it be decided by the judges, but let no voice be silent.
That means we encourage Tanushree ṭo speak up.
Neutrality: Until the truth is arrived at from evidence, it only seems fair to allow space for notions that any of the two parties might be speaking the truth. Yes, it’s plausible Tanusree accused Nana for some ulterior motive. It’s also plausible that Tanusree might be telling the truth and Nana Patekar used his influence to stifle the report. We don’t know. The best way to show that you’re considering both the sides is by the next principle — Respect.
Respect: As long as a conclusion hasn’t been arrived at, isn’t it a wise idea to treat everyone with respect. This means while calling the man in Jasleen Kaur case a creep, a pervert, or anything else, is hurting the cause. So is sending these messages to Tanushree Dutta.
Treating people with respect ensures that neither the accused nor accuser would have to suffer from the case in spite of being right. Also, respect lowers people’s resistance and makes it easier for them to admit (or comply). In fact, this is the reason even guilty parties need to be treated with respect. This might sound difficult coz it is, indeed, very difficult.
So, while I lean towards Tanushree Dutta’s statements, you may not. That’s cool, I respect your right to hold that opinion. And hope you would encourage a fair discourse around this incident. Thanks.