Sharing ‘Pro-Women’ Posts on Facebook Doesn’t Make You Pro-Women
TVF founder and CEO Arunabh Kumar found himself at the centre of serious allegations after a former employee accused him of sexual harassment two days ago. Following this, a slew of allegations against Kumar made the rounds on social media.
“Suddenly, I felt someone from behind grope my breasts, and when I turned around, it was Arunabh.”
“When we were reviewing the shots, he would repeatedly graze my waist with his hand.”
“He said he would like to get naked and see me stripping and dancing for him.”
Also Read: This Should’ve Been TVF’s Reply to Charges Against Arunabh Kumar
One anonymous account against Kumar could possibly have been out of malice. Even two, for that matter. But a slew of allegations (more than half a dozen at last count), one after the other, probably cannot be dismissed without an investigation. Most of the follow-up complainants have even put their identities out there.
Arunabh Kumar and His Facebook Profile
On Arunabh’s Facebook profile, we find a contradictory narrative.
The TVF founder has taken a gender-sensitive and feminist stand on many issues – including body shaming and gender stereotypes.
Also Read: ‘Let Me Be Prosecuted If I’ve Done Wrong’: TVF’s Arunabh Speaks Up
His Facebook timeline chronicles all the instances where he has shared videos and articles with a clear feminist overtone. In one of the posts, he praised Kangana Ranaut for the “valuable professional advice” she can give everyone. In another, he asserts how the concept of Women’s Day is fraught with problems.
Also Read: ‘Pledge Not to Watch TVF Shows Anymore’: Twitter on Arunabh Kumar
Yes, Facebook posts are not necessarily the proof of a person’s “real views,” but when you’re talking about a figure as public as Kumar, there are a couple of more arguments that come in. He makes a living out of selling video content online – most of his communication with the public is on social media.
His public Facebook posts, then, become an interesting space to understand this dichotomy.
If the allegations are true, how does one explain this paradox? How does one deal with this hypocrisy? How does one reconcile with the fact that a man who commissions rather progressive web series is found to be at the center of a molestation case?
