Another Woman Has Accused Ganesh Acharya Of Forcing Himself On Her. Will He Be Held Accountable Now?

The sheer number of women in the entertainment industry who have been subjected to sexual harassment sends shivers down my spine. These are the kind of stories that should get people out of their slumber yet they refuse to wake up and face reality. The #MeToo movement, while still struggling to bring about real change for women in the workplace, has already succeeded in giving many women their voices to speak against these horrific crimes.

The case that we are talking about today is a story exactly like that. A senior background dancer approached the National Commission for Women, alleging that prominent choreographer Ganesh Acharya sexually abused her way back in 1990. In her letter to the NCW, she claimed that he forced himself on her and pressured her into sleeping with him.

This comes less than a week after an assistant dancer Divya Kotian filed an FIR against him. Acharya was also named along with Nana Patekar in Tanushree Dutta’s claims. It just seems like his name is being thrown around a lot this week and something needs to be done to ensure these women get justice.

Also Read: Tanushree Dutta Voices Her Protest For Ganesh Acharya’s Behaviour And Urges The Industry To Boycott Him. We Hope Some Real Change Takes Place This Time

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In a recent interview, she said, “It happened to me three decades ago. I have been married and have had kids, but he hasn’t changed one bit. When I read about the FIR, I knew I had to speak up too. In 1990, I used to go to Sahiba hall in Andheri West where several masters take dance classes. Acharya used to assist Kamal masterji. I was 18 then and working as a non-member dancer. One day, Acharya said it’s mandatory to learn Jive for auditions and invited me to his class in Santacruz East. Classes were held on Sundays at 11 am.”

She further recounted, “His assistant Dilip picked me up from Khar subway and dropped me to a room on the first floor of Hotel East and West. I did not suspect anything till that point, there were no other students. Acharya said Dilip has gone to bring the sound system and other students. On the pretext of teaching me Jive, he kissed my neck and cheeks. When I resisted, he threw me on the bed and said he wanted to make love to me and marry me. I kept saying no but he kept moving his hands over my body. I was too terrified and told him I am on my period. He finally got off from me and said, ‘Kya yaar, mood kharab kar diya (you spoilt the mood)’.”

Also Read: Divya Kotian Filed An FIR Against Choreographer Ganesh Acharya For Sexual Misconduct. Another Man Abusing His Power And Position.

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When I read this, I was beyond disgusted. It is a classic case of an entitled man misusing his position of power to take advantage of a young woman. I have never understood how men like Acharya just assume these women will keep their mouth shut all their lives and they will go free?

Obviously, Acharya has continuously denied all allegations that have been made against him by saying that his image is being maligned and he is being framed because he took a stand against them. But my question is, how do three women have similar claims about him misbehaving at three different points of his career?

All three women have urged the entire fraternity to ostracize Acharya and we stand with them. Legal action aside, men like him should not be allowed to work in this industry or any other. That is the only way the rest of them will think a hundred times before harassing another woman.

https://thehauterfly.com/lifestyle/bollywood-is-making-a-joke-of-the-me-too-movement-by-working-with-the-accused-taapsee-pannu-says-keep-fighting/