Video Of Sara Ali Khan Inappropriately Touching Security Guard Sparks Debate Around Sexual Crime Laws For Men Or A Lack Of Them
As a 20-something woman in a patriarchal society, I’ve heard a lot of nonsensical things. However, one of them is when people try to assign gender to sexual assault. While the majority of women have unfortunately faced molestation and sexual assault, it can’t be claimed that no men have faced the same thing or that no woman has ever perpetuated a sexual crime. I’m saying this after coming across an online debate about laws against sexual crimes against men after a video of Sara Ali Khan allegedly inappropriately touching a security guard went viral.
Sara Ali Khan was spotted out and about with friend Sharmin Sehgal last weekend and a video of the two girls roaming around is going viral. If you wonder why it’s because the video shows Sara inappropriately touching a security guard as she entered a restaurant. This sparked a social media debate about sexual crime laws for men in India.
Netizens troll a 'drunk' Sara Ali Khan for 'touching' security guard at Mumbai restaurant🤦♀️#bollyspot #GhaintPunjab #saraalikhan pic.twitter.com/7lf4JiEmvS
— Ghaint Punjab (@GhaintPunjab) September 19, 2022
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Advocate Ali Kaashif Khan clarified that Indian sexual crime laws do not cater to men and only protect women. A man cannot file a complaint against a woman for molestation. In order to accuse someone of such an act, there must first be a purpose and intention. There is no specific statute, but if the woman cannot support her claims, she may be charged with perjury under section 340 of the Criminal Procedure Code. There are no such elements in the video, and the security guard doesn’t appear to have responded in any manner.
N if its abt touching .. why u guys have to think cheap n how? It can be mistake.. Think n question urslf have u nvr by mistake touched anyone whether u r sober or drunk. Im sure u also did by mistake, so its ok n plz dnt make a big deal out of it. Respect ppl to get respect.
— Rhea Sharma (@uglypagli) September 19, 2022
In response to accusations made against Sara after the video went viral online, attorney Rizwan Siddiquee says that no court or law enforcement agency can accept the video as evidence supporting any claims of drug use, physical contact with the male security guard, or other offences that could be prosecuted under the Indian Penal Code or other statutes. According to him, making such hints through the distribution of recordings would result in the individual being charged with criminal defamation.
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Even if she's drunk, what's the problem? Is drinking a crime in India?
— theo salvadore (@theosalvadore) September 18, 2022
I have 2 opinions of this entire hullabaloo so let’s discuss it. Firstly, I like that this has at least began a conversation about securing men’s sexual safety and bodily autonomy just as well as the laws do for women right now. Sexual crimes are harrowing and traumatic which is something no one should have to go through, be that a woman or a man. So I believe it is high time we all started bringing men into this conversation too. Secondly, having said that, I feel like this was genuinely an accident on Sara’s part. And I say this as someone who had had men accidentally brush their arms or hands against my body in public spaces. It just feels so demeaning to be bringing up men’s sexual crime laws over an accident like this when there are actual crimes and male victims that haven’t gotten justice. Sara is a celebrity and like most celebs, she has paparazzi following her everywhere. So are we going to misinterpret everything she does while ignoring the actual problems we have?
