Vinta Nanda tells why she spoke; Alok Nath dismisses rape-allegations
What's the story
Vinta Nanda's Facebook post about being raped by Alok Nath, almost 20 years ago, has helped everyone peek into the dark underbelly of showbiz industry.
In her post, Nanda didn't mention any name but the 'sanskaari' tag gave it away. Now, in a recent interview, she explained why she broke her silence years later.
Meanwhile, Nath has dismissed the allegations and called them absurd.
Nanda's story
Nanda says she didn't have the option to speak up
Nanda, a writer/producer of the 90s show 'Tara', said the show was feminist and way ahead of its time, which meant the men were in discomfort.
She told Firstpost, back then speaking up was not an option for her. Nanda revealed her closed ones suggested her to forget about it, as the incident was in the past.
But #MeToo gave her the courage.
Details
Nanda's beliefs were shattered after the incident
Nanda said she spoke to her mother, telling her she wanted to reveal the story but was advised against it.
She remained quiet because she blamed herself for a long time, thinking she shouldn't have gulped alcohol that day. "All that boldness of my own also came down post the incident," she told.
But, she revealed now guilt drove her to write the post.
Quote
"How can I ask women to speak by keeping quiet"
"On one hand I would say, "yes women should speak out" since I am a feminist - but then I would wonder what I'm rallying about, keeping my story buried inside," she said and added urging women to speak and not follow it, was wrong.
Aftermath
In an article, Nanda wrote about the assault years ago
Further, Nanda said she wrote a story for French magazine L'Officiel, in 2003-2004, where she narrated the incident. Though Nath was unnamed, everyone knew whom she was talking about, Nanda said.
Post that things got worse as everyone knew. "Getting work was next to impossible. People said, 'don't touch her, she's a troublemaker'," Nanda added.
Speaking up
Roza and social media helped Nanda
Further, Nanda said keeping roza for a month, on the suggestion of a Muslim friend, helped her. She also said social media helped her find a voice.
About speaking up, Nanda said, "I felt it's not fair for me to carry a flag for an issue when you've yourself not had the courage to speak up. I had to rid myself of this guilt."
Defense
Meanwhile, Nath has neither accepted nor denied the allegations
Just as this case has sparked nationwide outrage, Nath has neither accepted nor denied the charges.
Speaking to news channel ABP he said, "It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it or it will be stretched."
He said in today's world only a woman's version will be considered.
Quote
It was me who made her what she is: Nath
"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. It is useless to react on the allegations," Nath said.