#MeToo: Shilpa Shinde deflects gaze to 'Khan Sir

Mumbai: Under huge criticism from the entertainment industry after admitting that a sexual harassment allegation she levelled nearly a decade ago was false, actress-cum-politician Shilpa Shinde on Tuesday sought to redirect public focus towards Bihar-based educator Faisal Khan, popular as ‘Khan Sir’.

Facing a fierce backlash from industry bodies, fellow actors, male and female activists plus social media users, Shinde, 48, abruptly diverted the attention to ‘Khan Sir’, who was recently booked in connection with an alleged firing incident near his coaching institute in Patna.

In a post, Shinde urged those attacking her should instead “stand up and speak out for Khan Sir”, appealing to both supporters and critics to rally behind the popular educator.

Shinde’s new strategy surprised many as outrage continued to snowball over her startling admission made during a celebrity podcast last week, where she acknowledged that the sexual harassment allegations, she had levelled against television producer-director Sanjay Kohli were not genuine.

The controversy spread all over, drawing condemnation from multiple quarters, including New Delhi-based men’s rights group NCM India Council for Men Affairs, which called upon Mumbai Police to register a case against Shinde. Even television actresses Hina Khan and Pooja Bedi were among those who publicly castigated her remarks.

Stringent Action

The revelations exploded across the industry after the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) took serious note of her remarks and appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate stringent action if the allegations were found to have been deliberately false.

Unfazed by the criticism, Shinde remained defiant and hit back: “Always ready to say, ‘jo ukhadna hai ukhad lo’,” she declared, signalling that she was unconcerned by either public outrage or possible official action.

In its strong statement, AICWA said that Shinde’s confession on the podcast hosted by comedians Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa as “a matter of serious concern for the entire Bollywood and television industry”.

“A false sexual-harassment allegation can cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation, family, children, career and mental well-being,” it added, warning that such accusations could permanently tarnish lives and devastate families.

AICWA further cautioned that fabricated allegations risk undermining genuine victims of workplace harassment by creating skepticism even around legitimate complaints and making it harder for survivors to obtain support, credibility and justice. It urged for a fair and thorough examination of the matter and if Shinde’s allegations are proven to have been knowingly false, to pursue appropriate legal action against the actress.

Though there are few takers for her claims and contentions, her latest stratagem to shift the narrative to ‘Khan Sir’ has also raised fresh criticism and doubts over her real intentions.

Few takers for Shilpa Shinde’s ping-pong

The controversy goes to 2016 when Shilpa Shinde dramatically exited the popular comedy serial “Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain”, triggering one of the most high-profile sexual harassment disputes in the entertainment world. She accused producer Sanjay Kohli of alleged non-payment of dues and then sexual harassment, while the production house countered with allegations of contractual breaches.

The dispute remained in the media spotlight and in the courts for some time before both sides agreed for an out-of-court settlement after her pending payments were cleared.

Ironically, around a year ago, Shinde returned to the show, but after nearly ten years she dropped another bombshell, claiming she resorted to the sexual harassment bogey as she was purportedly under pressure to sign a restrictive contract preventing her from working with other production houses.