This is the full text of the statement issued today to the media by the gutsy woman journalist who refused to take sexual harassment as routine. More power to her and others like her!
I am heartened by the broad support I have received over the past fortnight. However, I am deeply concerned and very disturbed by insinuations that my complaint is part of a pre-election political conspiracy.
I categorically refute such insinuations and put forward the following arguments:
The struggle for women to assert control over their lives and their bodies is most certainly a political one, but feminist politics and its concerns are wider than the narrow universe of our political parties. Thus, I call upon our political parties to resist the temptation to turn a very important discussion about gender, power and violence into a conversation about themselves.
Suggestions that I am acting on someone else’s behest are only the latest depressing indications that sections of our public discourse are unwilling to acknowledge that women are capable to making decisions about themselves for themselves.
In this past week, television commentators who should know better, have questioned my motivations and my actions during and after Mr. Tejpal molested me. Some have questioned the time it took for me to file my complaint, more inquisitive commentators have questioned the use of the word “sexual molestation” versus words like “rape.”
Perhaps the hardest part of this unrelentingly painful experience has been my struggle with taxonomy. I don’t know if I am ready to see myself as a “rape victim”, or for my colleagues, friends, supporters and critics to see me thus. It is not the victim that categorizes crimes: it is the law. And in this case, the law is clear: what Mr. Tejpal did to me falls within the legal definition of rape.
Now that we have a new law that broadens the definition of rape, we should stand by what we fought for. We have spoken, time and again, about how rape is not about lust or sex, but about power, privilege and entitlement. Thus this new law should be applicable to everybody – the wealthy, the powerful, and the well connected – and not just to faceless strangers.
As seen by some of the responses to this case, instances of familial and custodial rape present doughty challenges to even the most adamantine feminists.
Unlike Mr. Tejpal, I am not a person of immense means. I have been raised singlehandedly by my mother’s single income. My father’s health has been very fragile for many years now.
Unlike Mr. Tejpal, who is fighting to protect his wealth, his influence and his privilege, I am fighting to preserve nothing except for my integrity and my right to assert that my body is my own and not the plaything of my employer. By filing my complaint, I have lost not just a job that I loved, but much-needed financial security and the independence of my salary. I have also opened myself to personal and slanderous attack. This will not be an easy battle.
In my life, and my writings, I have always urged women to speak out and break the collusive silence that surrounds sexual crime. This crisis has only confirmed the myriad difficulties faced by survivors. First, our utterances are questioned, then our motivations, and finally our strength is turned against us: a politician will issue a statement claiming that speaking out against sexual violence will hurt our professional prospects; an application filed in the Delhi High Court will question why the victim remained “normal”.
Had I chosen silence in this instance, I would not have been able to face either myself or the feminist movement that is forged and renewed afresh by generations of strong women.
Finally, an array of men of privilege have expressed sorrow that Tehelka, the institution, has suffered in this crisis. I remind them that this crisis was caused by the abusive violence of the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, and not by an employee who chose to speak out.
Thank you everyone for your support.
KAFILA - COLLECTIVE EXPLORATIONS SINCE 2006 
Reblogged this on Getting Loquacious.
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We are with you strong lady… stay strong.
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More power to you! You make it easier for many young women to speak up
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Apart from standing in solidarity with her is there anyway we can financially support her/ her legal struggle?
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I do have the same question. I am not a person of immense means either, but I can try and contribute whatever I can for this just cause. You are an inspiration.
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I don’t think what she needs is anyone’s “help”, financially or otherwise, and these offers for help are uncalled for. No independent woman is going to ever take charity from anyone, and the rape has in no way crippled her anymore than our reading about such an institution has. All she – and the rest of us need – is a strong legal system and a responsible and ethical police force who can behave justly.
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In fact every individual, irrespective of gender divide must come forward to tender moral and financial support to the brave woman. I stand by Paviraksha on this issue and expect all others to do so.
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Really, all who supports feminism should bow to your courage and should extend all kind of support to your actions. Good people from society are with you Oh courageous sister and we as social media activist, learned people will not rest our arms until the justice is served. I wish all those victims of such shameful acts gather courage like you and speak out, we would see lot of people going behind bars and justice delivered.
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While I loved reading this post, I am slightly uncomfortable with way this piece or the author will be celebrated as ‘the victim who did not bow down.’ I am also uncomfortable that she is fodder for gossip within page 3, journalisty and academic circles, almost none of which comes from a feminist stance. What really disturbs me is the way her emails were circulated as public texts. In the face of all of this, I really hope she has a solid support system that will help her keep sane. As a feminist, I am more invested in her healing, rather than the political ramifications of this case for Tehelka.
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You are fighting not just for your integrity but also setting an example an inspiration, for all the women, to speak up and fight against any in-justice against them. You are sister of more than 100 crore brothers.
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You are a great inspiration! Reblogged this on Personal
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You are a great inspiration! Reblogged this on: Personal
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Many men in office situations, because of you, will think twice before harassing their female employees. Your actions are preventative. It seems to me that you have been wrongly criticized almost as much as you have been praised, So I hope you find comfort in the knowledge that there is a sisterhood of women and a brotherhood of men in the South Asian continent and overseas (where I reside) who are thankful for your outspokenness. In past situations, we have not asserted ourselves as you have and it is fear that has stopped us. Your bravery will help us to protect our fellow female employees and speak out for ourselves when sexual harassment rears its head, which it will do again and again because of the kind of world we live in. Again and again, thank you.
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This is what feminism looks like. What a great statement — thoughtful, clear, and impassioned.
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We support you madam. Thanks for showing courage.
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God will be with you.Be strong.Proud of you for not giving a blind eye to reality and for fighting strongly telling the truth.
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i hope you will never cow down in the face of this tribulation. more power to you
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stay strong we support you!
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I salute your courage, your strength and your resolve. Please, don’t let the sully insidious comments of some ‘ulterior’ motivated media individuals detract you. The incident though was extremely wrong and unfortunate (should not happen to anybody), however has generated discussion in public spaces and else where in different new media as well traditional media platforms and in the process will help in creating a lot of awareness. You are role model to millions of girls and young women. You are an inspiration not all for women but for all of us. You have provided voice to the voiceless many.
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I wholeheartedly congratulate you for the guts that you have shown to this patriarchal society. This will not go in vein and will certainly provide courage to lots of women to speak out against the routine sexual harassments. Bravo woman.
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Much needed! All the best.
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Hang in there. There are millions of women who draw courage from your actions and support you whole-heartedly. We know the battle is long, but definitely not a lone one. Insinuations will come and go for those with vested interests will continue to throw in their two bits….but this fight has to go on.
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Well done
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Stay strong.. and punish him according to law..
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we are proud of the stand that you have taken keeping in mind the kind of courage it takes to stake everything to come out and speak against such a crime. This is the first step to break the vicious culture of violence surrounding such crimes.
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my unreserved support to the bravery and stance of this girl. still my view is that the incident does not find true explanation through feminist perspective. its not feminism, but marxism that explains the same. long back in 1950, in their seminal work ‘communist manifesto’, marx and engels explained this sexual misconduct of bourgeois a fallout and inseparable part of his overall position and role in the capitalist society. a feminist angle would simply derail the whole discourse towards condemnation of gender, instead of corporate wolves…..
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The Communist Manifesto was written in 1950?!?!
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We can condemn gender imbalance and class imbalance (corporate wolves) at the same time, Rajesh. One is not exclusive of the other. Women in lower classes face a double handicap – one because of class and one because of gender. Exploitation can be of many kinds and it is necessary to recognise all these different kinds of exploitation.
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More power to you, brave lady. The whole country should be proud of you.
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Hats off to you lady. I am with you.
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I admire your clarity and your courage, and my prayer for you is not only that you stay firm, but that a path opens up for you for a fulfilling career. Hopefully there is someone out there who will give you a job precisely because you are a journalist of substance.
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Dear Brave Sister, We are proud of your bold action of facing the crooked empire. Hats off to you. But the only concern is about the culprit employing a crooked Lawyer who will subject you to further humiliation in the court. You must carry on bravely till the case puts the culprit in his place. In the mean time, we pray God to bless you with a job and energy. All the best, Sister. God bless you.
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Its the hestitation from the part of women to spesk out and protest facilitates these offenders who entertains a perverted notion that they have some rights over women’s body .kudos to unflinching determination and courage . whole heartedly supporting you . Go ahead…
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I admire your guts ! Working for Tehelka you knew how powerful Mr moneybags Tarun Tejpal was…and yet you had the courage to take him by the collar ! But I do want to know another thing…all the three people you confided in seem to have kept shut…why ? It is going to be a long uphill task …and if Asaram can languish in the jail why shouldnt Tejpal ? The law should be the same for everyone !
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Hats off to you for standing up to that creature!!!!! You are a role model to all women!!!!! God Bless!!!!
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Thanks to you, a lot of other women especially who work as journalists have found a voice to speak up against similar personal incidents. It is difficult being branded a ‘trouble maker’ by the organisation you work so hard for, nor is it easy to hold your head high and not succumb to the uninvited attention and speculation speaking up generates. You have managed to do both and I hope that it is a precursor for others to follow.
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तुझे सलाम
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What you are doing gives hope to a lot of other women. We are with you!
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Reading the comments I felt almost everything has been said to applaud and praise The Lady .But what my major concern here is…What about her Job? I want One brave Media house to offer her a job? That is tangible way of showing that we stand by her.Make monetary contribution to help her fight the case.I am ready to make my contribution ,If i knew where i can.Question here is…What can i as her supporter do in tangible terms to help her win this battle against Mr money bags.Do i make sense?
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Sushma, I fully endorse your sentiments. As intimated in my previous message, I would like to provide tangible support to this brave lady and her parents in their fight for justice. However as a UK based person, I am at a loss how I can augument my moral support with financial assisitance. May I therefore appeal to my brothers & sisters in India to establish a fund where all like-minded persons can make a financial constribution. whilst no amount of money will unwind the suffering endured but at least this will provide some relief to the family in what, I fear, will be a long and difficult journey ahead. Finally, I would like to urge the media to rally behind this courageous lady by offering her a job – this will demonstrate the moral compass of the Indian media.
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She writes well so surely she does not need financial support. But yes financial support to her cause might be something. Because what happens to her case is very crucial to a lot of women who suffer harassment.
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You have truly set an example girl, I salute your courage.
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my living-in partner p k shivadas and myself fully support your stand. as you have rightly pointed out, this is not a matter of boss-employee mismatch; this is a problem of power and assumed entitlement. we exhort the tehelka sans tarun and shoma to come out in your support if the periodical is as dedicated to the cause of the prey rather than the predator as it has claimed, and we have believed, all the while.
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god bless you..you are a true heroine..
nothing can make a bad mark on you..
you will be responsible for awakening the
public..
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Our unstinted support on the stand taken by you is there.Mr.tejpal,ms. shoma and rest should know that they cannot hoodwink and get over the reach of the law and allow obfuscation of the issues which have been thrown up.No use of repenting but time mr. tejpal and ms.shoma face the hard facts and get ready for time in the cooler!
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Is there something we can do to help? Actively?
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Big respect to you for standing up for ur right and fighting. It takes a lot of guts to stand up for ur dignity and go against a corrupt ugly soul like Tarun. Having known his brother im aware of the faulty genes in that family when it comes to how they treat women like objects. We are with u and will do whatever it takes to get u ur justice. we will do all we can to support u thru it all. Take care n be strong knowing we are with u
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Like the December 2012 upsurge, the courage of this brave woman will be another watershed in the women’ struggle for equality, dignity and freedom in India and beyond.
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We are with you. proud that you have spoken up.
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Respect. Such a well- articulated point of view. Thank you for showing women in this country that they need to speak up. You are not alone.
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I applaud your courage to stand up for your rights (and by default that of al other indian women). For far too long, the affluent and the well connected have manipulated the law enforcers to either discourage victims from recording crimes. I am sure all right minded people in India and abroad are fully behind you. As an overseas residing Indian origin person, I would love extend my support in more tangible way. May god give you lots of strength to remain resolute and fight the battle to a positve conclusion. God bless you and the your parents.
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Hear, hear!!!
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More power to you. You are not alone.
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Well done! I am both delighted and amazed at the intellectual maturity shown by the young lady in a time that must be very emotionally disorienting. I am also very happy at the broad support she has received. I hope this will continue to be the case in future.
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Reblogged this on southasiabookblog and commented:
There’s been some very nasty business going on in the Indian media world this past week, and I’ve avoided commenting on much of it because so much seems to be laden with vitriol and sexism (particularly towards Shoma Chaudhury who, although has clearly made mistakes, does not warrant the personal and often sexist attacks that have been leveled at her). This piece, however, from the journalist who was allegedly assaulted, is worth sharing. Not least because of her articulation of some important feminist principles that I hope aren’t lost completely in the fallout of what is going to happen.
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Finally something on this whole sorry episode that I wish to share and promote. I hope the strong feminist principles that are evident here don’t get completely trodden over in the coming weeks. Reblogged on http://www.southasiabookblog.com
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Respect! We are with you!
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More power to you lady… !! This is a sheer matter of shame for the accused and for the survivor. You have set an example that we must act as what we speak out for. As of the people making hundreds of assumptions and theories out of the case, it is nothing but the way they have behaved for ages, but there is a certainly a change with woman like you in society. Kudos to you.
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Read: This is a sheer matter of shame for the accused and NOT for the survivor.
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Stay strong,stay brave, that women with no voice in that last home, that last district, that last hut salutes you…
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Will she really have trouble finding a job? She seems like a very plucky and talented young lady. I would hire her in a heart-beat if I were in a position to do so.
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Courage personified !!! INDIA prays for YOU . Be strong, you are the voice of supressed.
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Why is there no call, as yet, for a speedy trial in this case? The longer this plays out, the greater her suffering. And Indian courts can be meaninglessly slow unless public outcry (as in the Nirbhaya case) builds a sustained pressure.
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I admire your courage, skills and support you in all the manner. You are not the first, but the bright light for others.
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Thank you for standing up against this. It will give courage to all women who face abuses like this every day in their lives.
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It’s our misfortune that our political parties try to cash in on the plight of common people like us. In any case, our heart and moral support is with you, brave lady! We are with you. Human dignity matters above everything. we will fight it out together…
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To You whom I know through the stories of inhuman crime committed to you by your boss.I admire you and your statement is very bold that is why I call you a struggling woman.Struggling for crime against women,struggling for your rights and justice.I know that the path chosen by you is very difficult,but please remember thousands of women like me in India and all over the world is with you.I do not know weather my comments will reach you or not but zindabad to you and to our not only your struggle.In solidarity a friend from Jaipur (as Mamta Jaitly an activist and writer has written on my face book wall)
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Tejpal is an arrogant hypocrite. I wonder how he would react if his or wife were subjected to the same harassment he inflicted on this brave young lady. People in India should realise that women are our mothers and sisters. We need to respect them and their individuality. Women should be treated as equals and should have the same rights as men. India having many women in high political positions, Sonia Gandhi for instance, did not address womens right till the New Delhi rape incident. Tejpal should be prosecuted to full extent of the law.
Hang in there brave lady! Don;t let the male heyenas of the media intimidate you!
How can we help you?
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Her fight is going to be another watershed in women’s right to equality. The letter should be read and re-read. It reads like a manifesto for the ongoing movement against #VAW. She has spoken not as a victim, but as a true fighter. Thousand salutes to her.
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Thank you for your courage. Stay strong, stay focussed, the journey has just begun. There are vested interests in protecting the fallen man here.
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thank you for speaking out. that must have taken so much courage in the first place. proud that we have women like you in our world today. just hope you can set up an account where those like me who would like to help financially can do so.
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Your strength is an inspiration. And it has introduced a new audience to your writing.
Speaking out may have caused you much anguish. But it has – whether you intended it or not – brought you great respect. Both personally for your courage and professionally for your wonderful way with words.
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There is nothing wrong in what you have done, instead you should be proud that you came out and spoke about it. I am sure you will get a new job and will find yourself financial secure. Few have the courage to speak against the corrupt people because often they are in powerful position Or, many of us have simply lost hope for any justice. More power to you. Fight should be on.
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Hold On. You have already proved your strength well enough. Just hold on.
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You have more support than you know, both in India and from overseas. I applaud your courage, your resolve and your clarity. Hang in there.
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It is unfortunate that what you say happened to you has been corroborated by some of your colleagues too. Unfortunately people who try to get away with such crimes are politically connected and even if law and order force is willing to get to the bottom of this, political nexus might stanch it. In the US Air Force such sexual molestation incidents have been taking place for a long time without any action by higher-ups. Only now some serious action is taking place. In India even if administrative procedures go on with earnestness the political interference is the killer. As a journalist you should be able to gather support from some members of the media who have moral integrity. Keep talking to colleagues and some fair-minded journalist and an organization may come forward to help you succeed in bringing the culprit to face the court. That should also help prevent future occurrences like this.
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Respect. More power to you.
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It is very unfortunate that it had happened in a social media circle which touts for uprightness in thought and deed.
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Tejpal kee band baja dee…and all Tejpal will now think twice…a wonderful write up…
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Ir is not just our workplaces which are ‘sexualised’ our whole society is ‘sexualised’ and ranged against the feminine of the human species. This does not augur well for our present or the future… The lady has just done what she ought to do…countless other women have refrained from such a course so far and even presently for various reasons …Now at least since.we have some laws in place there is no need to ‘suffer in silence’…
Tejpal cannot hide his personal crime under the canopy of past reputation of the organization he founded….even the said organisation is now in the mud because of his dark deeds.
I agree the issue should not be politicized.
However, this subject is not beyond ‘politics’…and I would only like to say here that some organizations and persons who have presided over pogroms of arson, murder and rape on a mass scale are brazening out as ‘saviours’ of our nation and society…
brazening it out is in vogue…Tejpal has either changed his colours or coming out in his true colours…
The true substance of the person surfaces under the most adverse circumstances (even those brought about by self)…
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I am very proud of you. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is a battle which the women do face at every stage of life be it at workplace or home. The Courage to stand up and revolt is actually what education should be teaching about. Men in power should remember that women are here with their special powers to support them in building of the society.Together with proper understanding will build a civilized society.
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Like the others here I totally support your fight and especially the cause you are fighting for. Is there any way financially we can contribute because lawyers arent cheap. And unfortunately a lot rests on them. Also being a defence officer I wish more women like you join the armed forces because we need people with guts.
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Great fighter! Wish you all the best!
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Proud of you young lady…… carry on with the fight, your courage will give courage to a lot others, and am sure bring about the much needed change in male attitudes towards women..and in our society.
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Want to say Thank YOU…. Really. And thought of Marge Piercy’s poem ‘For Strong Women’…Full support, power and solidarity…
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Mr. Tejpal, you are a depraved and demented man, a disgrace to the human race. A degenerate like you should be locked up and the key thrown away.
You have the nerve to say that the attempted “sexual liaison” was consensual. Be a man, own up to your misdeeds. Stop using slimy lawyers to tarnish the lady’s character and reputation. Do you realize no matter what happens legally, in a male dominated society like India, she will always be viewed as the woman who Mr. Tejpal raped and no one will marry her. She is ruined forever. Yet, a debauched scoundrel like you will continue to live life as usual.
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If it wasn’t for the underlying tragedy, I would still have appreciated the way that this lady has very convincingly brought forward the issues involved. Coming from her, I cannot but marvel at the courage that she displays. Hats off to you, brave girl. People share your grief and are with you. For a change, the administration and the judiciary are showing that they can rise to the occasion. Only if the morons heading political parties and equally imbecile TV anchors had some more sense, our country would be a much better place to live.
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You are really an inspiration for Indian women of the present millennium. While majority of the women at work places silently suffer the sexual excesses against them, only a few of them strongly react. Years ago, one senior IAS officer of Punjab made such relentless crusade against KPS Gill , for publicly outraging her modesty. Though Gill went Scot free in the entire episode, now things have drastically changed with media and civil society playing a pivotal role in ensuring justice to the victims. People like Tarun built up a facade of fake image with the support of a section of politicians and media men who now try to defend him bringing politics into the entire episode. Let, the fairer sex who had bitter experience from Tarun and company in the past come forward and join the fight of this young journalist for justice.
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In complete solidarity with you. Tejpal did bark up the wrong tree this time.
In the coming days it will be interesting to note the effect of the changing definition of rape. Especially when those who made a living out of the pretense of championing the movements that made possible these amendments are now one of the first to face it.
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Very well written. Very personal and yet extremely strong, intelligent and dignified. Solid response to a horrible situation imposed on you by the ego of others. I’m cheering for you. If you start a fundraiser (on a crowd-sourced website), I (and myriad others like myself)- will be happy to support you financially.
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Also after this incident the ‘friend of the employee’ myth about HR is completely busted for me. HR/CEOs, no matter how independent and brave they present themselves to be in town-hall meetings, will do little when the situation requires taking action against a big-wig. Most corporates have lesser mortals at the helm than ms.chaudhary. Just imagine what chance a victim has in those places.
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well done .Many Girl Child will be saved considering you as an example.I salute your courage.
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Our greatest hope in making India a safe place for women is brave women like you. Women who stand up for principles and show the courage to fight a dirty fight where they are constantly judged and misrepresented by various institutions of power, but they never give up.
I salute you and offer you my support, even if only through words. I’m happy that people like you exist.
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She has done what we all have only been talking about. This is “being the change you want to bring about”.
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BIG HUG.
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I may be a faceless stranger to you. But I can feel your pain, every working woman in this country would too. Many don’t come forward for 2 main reasons…… the social stigma that’s attached and the financial repercussions. You r fighting both……I don’t know how I can help but I know you are doing what’s right…so Keep going.
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Sweet heart big hug from a 75 years old soldier.Stay on course,nation is with you.
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Sabas … “Girten hain Sah swar hi jange maidan main.. wo shaksh hi kya jo GUTNE ke bal chale”
First Future award NIRBHAYA goes to you. The lesson you taught to tejpal will go in history…. You will be an icon, and you don’t worry there are many GOOD people in India, who will always support you. Life is a battle, you have won the WAR.
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you are supported in your cry. thank you for crying out. sisters in solidarity.
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What the brave lady journalist requires is the support of the civil society. With her courage, skills and intelligence, she can definitely make her own career safe. The encounter with Tarun Tejpal would not adversely affect her future. Let the civil society strengthen her hands in the ongoing crusade against the perpetrator of the worst crime against women. Let him be ashamed of himself and let his daughter and others show the sagacity to denounce his act in strongest words of codemnation
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your brave move is an inspiration to such women folks who are not able to speak out their embarrassing incidents… I its a call for such people… keeping you in my prayers, may God give you the courage and happiness you have lost!
– Augustine Devotta, Chennai
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Lady, we are with you. You have lot of values, self prestige, self esteem, courage of conviction, honesty, character, your brought up by good parents, stay continue to be strong. Don’t be carried away by the corrupted politicians and also by the vicious circle of media. Though not that close, I am distantly known to your family and I wish you all the best to fight for justice and punish the culprit. You should be an inspiration and a model to all the women in the media,not only in the printed but also electronic. We are proud of you. God bless you.
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Kya bujhaayega Zamaana is Chiraag ko –
Ise to wakt ke andheron ne Zinda rakha hai !
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read this somewhere and thought it apt to the Tehelka ex journalist – “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it “~ Nelson Mandel
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You have done the right thing! It’s high time media starts reporting about the media. Hats off to the next media house that’s gonna hire you! It shows that justice still prevails and that some righteous organiztaion is confident enough to hire you!
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If you need anything at all…
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