"When I used to walk out of that ring, it used to be actually like a raped woman walking out," said controversy's favourite child Salman Khan at a promotional event for his upcoming film, 'Sultan.' The unfortunate statement not only garnered massive media attention, but brought with it the wrath of thousands of people, including several 'Bhai' fans.
Singer Sona Mohapatra was one of the very few who very openly kicked dirt at the superstar. Calling it a state of sad affairs, she referred to Salman as a "talented thug". No soon did she issue her stand in the matter, did she get attacked by online trolls. Matters reached to an extent where she received death and rape threats. Her photos were even morphed into naked porn images as Salman fans did their best to degrade her and show her what they really stood for. Responding to the matter with utmost grace, Sona said, "Poison that gets a chance to flow freely when national 'icons' created not only by their followers and audience but encouraged by their peers and media, regularly misbehave, talk rubbish, do rubbish, don't get punished, don't learn from their mistakes, but instead get encouraged, celebrated, pack cinema halls and become brand ambassadors of 'goodwill'. Depressing to say the least."
In times when rape attacks on women have glaringly increased, the star's choice of metaphor could not get any worse. Consequences were, his 70 year old father Salim Khan issued a public statement asking people to forgive his son. "Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong. The intention was not wrong. Nevertheless, I apologise on behalf of his family, his fans & his friends."
Now, the actor himself remains silent and refuses to apologise, a storm cooks outside with multiple sources issuing summons after summons on him if he did not say sorry. Truth be told, are we even addressing the real issue here? This isn't the first time the word 'rape' has been used as a metaphor for something far less gruesome and low. Salman's statement just brought to light the gentle misogyny that persists in our society. Just like the actor, there are many who have taken the subject lightly, refusing to take the crime with gravity.
Sure, Khan's statement can in no way be justified, but then he, a superstar, is one of the easiest targets. There are several others who have a similar kind of attitude. Indian author Chetan Bhagat once compared falling of the Indian rupee to rape. Why so insensitive? It is about time all of us realised the severity of the situation.
