On the heels of Desicritics' participation in the Blog-a-thon 2006 highlighting street/sexual harassment of women in India and Nachiketa's article bemoaning the harassment (euphemistically called "eve-teasing" in India) of women on New Delhi's streets, comes the news that a masseur in the Indian contingent that has traveled to Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games, has been charged with sexually harassing a 16-year old cleaner in the sports village.
Now, the charges are still under investigation by the Australian authorities, but what was he thinking? That he could behave as he wanted with that girl? That she would not take offence? That she would be cowed down by this "status" as an official of the Indian contingent and would not complain? That even if she complained, the police would laugh her off? That the authorities would not countenance her allegations?
Well, whatever he might have aniticipated would happen in the wake of his alleged actions, he could not have anticipated at the speed with which the authorities have reacted in Australia. According to CNN/IBN, his alleged victim complained to the Commonwealth Village police, and the Australian authorities have confiscated his passport pending further investigation. The accused Indian official will be produced in front of a magistrate on March 16th.
Needless to say, this is a highly embarrassing moment not only for Indian sport, but for Indian diplomacy as well. What should have been a joyful two weeks of representing India and hopefully putting on a good show in the sports arenas has now turned into two weeks of hiding from the glare of reports a sleazy incident in a room in the sports village.
Indian officials are left in the awkward position of having to deal with an issue that happens all too often within their own borders but is equally often ignored, explained away as "men will be men" or — worst of all — blamed on the victim as "deserving what she got" because she might have been too "forward."
But Australia is not India, now, is it?
I don't think we're in Kansas any more, Toto.
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Article comments
1 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Aaman,
Isn't it a bitch when the officials from your own country go overseas make you feel like a fool and cut down your pride in your country?
It happens all the time here... The list of Israelis I'd like to plug grows and grows daily.
2 - sal m
this happened in america, but instead of an indian masseuer the guy was nba star kobe bryant...all kobe had to do, with the help of a rabid tabloid media, was engage in a little character assasination of his victim...kobe's defense WAS that "she deserved what she got," and it worked!
3 - Rajbir Singh
Dear Aaman
The Masseur is not only responsible, rather the authorities who are involved in getting his clerance are more responsible. I have come to know that one another masseur was proposed by IOA for this mission but his name was strike off and this man was given advantage for him. This is all kith and kins of higher authorities who are gaining in every sphere.
4 - Pradeep
Hi,
My background is from India, and I know more about India then people abroad.
In India its common for the girls to get raped, even cops rape girls in India and get away with it.
Its just that n culture promotes love for the white skin., they have caste systems and all the time you see ads on TV about skin products that make ur skin white in like 14 days or some shit like that.
When will indians learh that no white girl will go out with short hariy skinny Indians...