I have been an admirer of Kanaga Ranaut for a long time. Her portrayal of characters in movies such as Queen, Bullet Rani, Rangoon Judgementall Hai Kya made me cheer for the brave, quirky female characters she played. She created new pathways for herself as a newcomers and for female-oriented films in the Hindi film industry; refreshingly outspoken about nepotism. I am looking forward to her latest release Panga as well. However the recent episode involving lawyer Indira Jaising has shown her in poor light to say the least --- in fact her words were horrifyingly misogynistic.
In the video she is asked for her reaction to lawyer Indira Jaisingh calling for the mother of Nirbhaya (Jyoti Singh) to forgive the rapists and killers of her daughter. To give a little perspective, Jaisingh has been vocal campaigner against the death penalty for a long time now. It was in this context that she asked Jyoti Singh’s mother not to insist on the death penalty; instead to consent to a life imprisonment sentence.
I am also against the death penalty, but I would not presume to tell Jyoti Singh’s mother what to do, because I cannot even imagine what the pain and trauma she may have gone through. Jaisingh gave the example of Sonia Gandhi who did not insist on the death penalty for the murderers of her husband. I believe that this was ill-advised since it needlessly hyphenates the call for the abolishment of the death penalty with a specific political party.
One may agree or disagree with Jaisingh’s views, but Ranaut’s reaction to this incident was, to me, very, very disturbing. She suggests that Jaisingh needs to be kept in jail with the convicts for a few days. She goes on to say that brutal criminals and rapists are born from the wombs of ‘such women’.
This is horrifying at so many levels. Firstly, she is suggesting the (possible) rape of a woman for daring to suggest a more humane justice system. She seems to think that a belief system that preaches forgiveness is a sickness that breeds and encourages criminality. Secondly, she toes the misogynistic line by suggesting that in one or another way, it is women who are to blame (in this case she blames the ‘womb’) for the monstrous acts of men.
Thirdly, and most worrying, Ranaut promotes the ‘if you don’t agree with me, you are with the enemy’ narrative. Ranaut believes that rapists should be hung in public. This is a vengeful and bloodthirsty view according to me, but Ranaut is entitled to her views. What is worrying however, is that she creates a fallacious equivalency between forgiveness and encouragement.
Jaisingh’s words may be considered unnecessary, but in no way do they try to negate the horrific pain and trauma that Jyoti’s family underwent. In no way do they sympathise with rapists and murderers. Jaisingh’s views are in line with many developed nations; most of whom have now abolished the death penalty or are moving towards its abolishment. Many civil societies view the death penalty as being irrevocable; a vengeful and barbaric practice to move away from. This is based on the view that in a civil society no one, not even the government, has the right to deprive a person of their life. This, since it is unable to restore that life in the chance - however remote - of that person being proven innocent at some point in the future.
Ranaut is clearly in favour of the death penalty; she is free to have that view; indeed this supports the current legal situation in our country. But for her to wish rape or other horrific experiences upon another woman simply because she advocates a different punishment is beyond the pale.
In the beginning of the video, Ranaut speaks about how her studio wants her to speak to the media more. This indicates that publicity before the release of a new film is desirable for the fortunes of the film (Panga releases today). Her words may well be the result of a well-thought-out strategy to create controversy before a film. However, she has to be mindful of the fact that the thoughts and words of someone in her position are impactful and influential. She defeats the very cause of feminism that she claims to espouse when she wishes terrible eventualities upon other women simply because they have a different belief system.
Earlier I admired Ranaut’s outspokenness and her ability to take on and call out industry insiders. She had all my sympathy through the whole Hritikh Roshan brouhaha. I could excuse many of her pronouncements as being those of a mercurial artiste; a charming eccentricity. However, in recent times Ranaut has come across as overtly combative and seems to now believe in her own legend. She has become so sure of her box office salability that she seems to have forgotten that cinema is a collaborative effort.
Alas, she now appears to have become too much of a star to be a ‘mere’ actor – the very thing she started out campaigning against.
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