Nandita Das' father Padma Bhushan Jatin Das accused of sexual-harassment
What's the story
With its ascend in India, #MeToo has exposed what life is for women in the country, and now another renowned personality has found his name in the wall of shame. Celebrated painter Jatin Das, who is a recipient of Padma Bhushan and father of actor-director Nandita Das, has been accused of sexual harassment by two women. The stories of the women are disturbing.
Incident
Das grabbed and kissed Nisha Bora, she recalls
In a long post on social media, Nisha Bora wrote she met Jatin Das through her family in 2004, and he offered her to assist him in work. Sensing nothing out of place, she agreed. But when she met him at his studio in Khidki village, she was harassed. At the studio, Das offered her alcohol and she declined. He attempted to grab her, and she wriggled.
Quote
He kissed me on my lips: Bora
"He attempted to grab me. I wriggled out of his embrace, flustered. Then he did it again. This time, he managed a clumsy kiss on my lips. I recall the feeling of his beard on my skin. I pushed him away," she wrote.
Call
Few days later, Nandita wanted to hire female-assistant for father
Bora wrote she remembered that Das was in disbelief after she pushed him. Incidentally, a few days later, Nandita called her saying she would like to find a young female assistant for her father. Bora wrote, "I recall that phone call felt like a knife being twisted in my gut, because I had so, so much admiration for her, and it had all become so incredibly filthy that moment."
Twitter Post
Jatin Das is my molester, Bora reveals
#MeToo One of India's most feted artists alive. Padma Bhushan recipient. My molestor. Long post alert. @IndiaMeToo and so MANY other women, starting with @Rxyxsx Thank you for so much. pic.twitter.com/a6VFC6iHys
— Nisha Bora (@NishaBora) October 16, 2018
Allegations
Separately, another woman recalls her unpleasant encounter with Das
After the courage which Bora displayed, another woman came forward to name and shame Das. Journalist Anushree Mazumdar wrote she met Das in 2006 when she had to pick up a painting from his studio. There he offered her a job as her assistant, and she was surprised. He promised to pay her more. Anushree wrote Das stood too close and asked uncomfortable questions.
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Anushree hid from Das, he kept calling her
(3/3) On the day of the opening, he called me to tell me that he was coming only to see me; and I must work for him after the festival is done. I spent all evening at Alliance Francaise hiding from him. He called many times the next day; he gave up when I didn't answer his calls.
— Anushree Majumdar (@CaptBackspace) October 16, 2018
Do you know?
Notably, Nandita Das has vowed not to work with offenders
Just as the #MeToo movement is gaining mileage, women have lent support to each other. Nandita Das is among the 11 women filmmakers who have vowed to never work with proven offenders. The other names include Konkana Sen Sharma, Gauri Shinde, and Kiran Rao.
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