As celebration goers revelled in Halloween celebrations on Tuesday, Mundhwa's The High Spirits, famed for its annual Halloween Spooktacular Party, looked as if it would take on a reclusive mood. The venue, touted through many as certainly one of the hottest celebration locations, did not dangle its annual Halloween bash this time. This comes weeks after the place was once known as out for its sexism and objectification.
It all started on October 10, when writer Sheena Dabholkar got here out with alleged circumstances of harassment through the landlord of The High Spirits Cafe, Khodu Irani, throughout her visits to the bar over the years. "Last year I was publicly shamed on the Facebook page for an extremely popular bar called High Spirits in Pune for calling out sexism," learn her tweet, which was once adopted through any other one, declaring, "This is standard High Spirits. I've had my nipples, tits, weight commented on. Friends have had bra straps tugged, upskirt photos taken."
Sheena receives overwhelming improve
Sheena gained improve from a number of men and women online. This incorporated consumers, performers and ex-employees, who got here ahead to open up about their harrowing studies on the venue. "My feminism is greater than my fear. Social media has helped tremendously in both highlighting a pervasive issue as well as calling out for action and accountability for safe spaces. Dozens of women have spoken out about their own harassment at High Spirits as well as all over the country. Lots of people have also come out as witnesses," says Sheena.
An online put up through Divya Desa, who labored on the club for 3 years until 2013 in the capability of a PA, social media supervisor, entrance desk employee and artist supervisor is a working example. She wrote about how she was once groped and bullied through her boss, and how she also spoke to his spouse about this. "He came at me — pinching and tickling my 'fat' stomach until I was backed into a corner, sobbing on the floor. There was another girl present, but she didn't interfere," reads an extract from the put up. "This was only the beginning. Groping, body shaming, slut shaming, pinching, bullying, intense verbal and emotional abuse were part of the daily routine. I was called ugly, fat, and disgusting, on a regular basis. If I got upset, I was called 'weak', belittled in front of other people, and told that this was all 'for my own good'— so that I could 'toughen up'," she provides.
Another ex-employee, who also got here up with her own put up supporting Divya, says, "The main aim of my post was to encourage an environment that's safe for women and men to express. I didn't make it a big deal of what I faced because no one did. Everybody said it was harmless, everyone said it was normal, and I ended up normalising it for myself too." She provides that her standing was once directed at friends who had been shutting down those that had been voicing their concerns on social media, through announcing 'it hasn't came about to me so that approach your allegation is baseless'. "I'm actually coming from a very personal space. Filing a complaint and all was never something I thought of because everyone thought this was in jest," she tells us.
Why the police haven't taken motion but
Since Sheena spoke out first, we requested her why she didn't record an FIR, to which she spoke back, "I haven't filed an official complaint because the stories are still coming out. I'm still scared." It has been more than 3 weeks now, and nobody has filed an professional complaint. On October 19, the Mundhwa police initiated a suo-motu inquiry into the allegations. A senior cop from the Mundhwa police station, says "Till now, no one has reached out to us. Victims or witnesses have not come forward to record their statements. We have commonly appealed to women to file a formal complaint, but none have responded to yet." Rashmi Shukla, Pune Police Commissioner, says, "We can't conduct investigations till women come forward and file a complaint. We did form a women's cell as part of the routine, but till someone approaches us, we can't do a thing. Any one is free to approach us, even via email. We will keep this inquiry open but until and unless someone comes forward, no action can be taken."
Khodu said that all the allegations made against him are false: Police officials
While Khodu Irani was once out of the town when the issue gained momentum, he visited the Mundhwa police station after returning to Pune, to offer his statement. An professional from the station says, "He said that all the allegations made against him are false. He also said that all of this was a ploy by competitors to get him to shut down the place." According to the professional, Khodu went on to state that all this was once being performed to defame him.
Artists boycott the venue
'I do not believe we will be able to be acting there, not until they own up'
Divya's account was once surprising to learn. We've always had an excellent crowd each and every time we performed there, and feature been dealt with professionally through the venue. I do not believe we will be able to be acting there, not until they own up to the reality that they've a problem and take steps to rectify it. Considering their most up-to-date public statements, maybe this will likely assist them realise that it has taken a lot of courage for lots of girls to talk up about their studies, and it isn't just a vendetta from a unmarried individual. I do hope they do no matter it takes to make it a secure house for women.
— Statement through Blackstratblues to PT
'There will proceed to be a zero-tolerance coverage for any form of sexual harassment at our presentations'
Considering the allegations that have come to gentle over the past two weeks, we determined against shifting ahead with High Spirits as the promoter for our display. Women's protection is a massively vital factor for us in any respect Nucleya presentations across the nation and not one thing we take evenly. There always has been and can proceed to be a zero-tolerance coverage for any form of sexual harassment at our presentations. We need everyone in the target audience to really feel secure, welcome and relaxed.
— Nucleya's statement, on Facebook
'I'm in reality sorry for the ones who needed to undergo this'
My newsfeed is flooded with #metoo updates mostly from girls and some men too. Reading about these studies surfaced a few undesirable repressed recollections and studies that I want I by no means had. As far as the story about High Spirits is worried, I went thru every article, and can not get over the fact that so many girls went thru similar studies. It's disgusting and I'm in reality sorry for the ones who needed to undergo this. I don't need to be a part of the so known as cool gang/scene/venue. This wishes to finish. No more High Spirits! I'm boycotting it for existence.
— Vasuda Sharma, singer-songwriter, on Facebook
'We is not going to improve sexual harassment in any shape'
Sexual harassment in the tune trade is a very deep rooted and troubling issue, and we will be able to not improve it in any form or shape.
— Skyharbor, in a statement on Facebook
It all started on October 10, when writer Sheena Dabholkar got here out with alleged circumstances of harassment through the landlord of The High Spirits Cafe, Khodu Irani, throughout her visits to the bar over the years. "Last year I was publicly shamed on the Facebook page for an extremely popular bar called High Spirits in Pune for calling out sexism," learn her tweet, which was once adopted through any other one, declaring, "This is standard High Spirits. I've had my nipples, tits, weight commented on. Friends have had bra straps tugged, upskirt photos taken."
Sheena receives overwhelming improve
Sheena gained improve from a number of men and women online. This incorporated consumers, performers and ex-employees, who got here ahead to open up about their harrowing studies on the venue. "My feminism is greater than my fear. Social media has helped tremendously in both highlighting a pervasive issue as well as calling out for action and accountability for safe spaces. Dozens of women have spoken out about their own harassment at High Spirits as well as all over the country. Lots of people have also come out as witnesses," says Sheena.
An online put up through Divya Desa, who labored on the club for 3 years until 2013 in the capability of a PA, social media supervisor, entrance desk employee and artist supervisor is a working example. She wrote about how she was once groped and bullied through her boss, and how she also spoke to his spouse about this. "He came at me — pinching and tickling my 'fat' stomach until I was backed into a corner, sobbing on the floor. There was another girl present, but she didn't interfere," reads an extract from the put up. "This was only the beginning. Groping, body shaming, slut shaming, pinching, bullying, intense verbal and emotional abuse were part of the daily routine. I was called ugly, fat, and disgusting, on a regular basis. If I got upset, I was called 'weak', belittled in front of other people, and told that this was all 'for my own good'— so that I could 'toughen up'," she provides.
Another ex-employee, who also got here up with her own put up supporting Divya, says, "The main aim of my post was to encourage an environment that's safe for women and men to express. I didn't make it a big deal of what I faced because no one did. Everybody said it was harmless, everyone said it was normal, and I ended up normalising it for myself too." She provides that her standing was once directed at friends who had been shutting down those that had been voicing their concerns on social media, through announcing 'it hasn't came about to me so that approach your allegation is baseless'. "I'm actually coming from a very personal space. Filing a complaint and all was never something I thought of because everyone thought this was in jest," she tells us.
Why the police haven't taken motion but
Since Sheena spoke out first, we requested her why she didn't record an FIR, to which she spoke back, "I haven't filed an official complaint because the stories are still coming out. I'm still scared." It has been more than 3 weeks now, and nobody has filed an professional complaint. On October 19, the Mundhwa police initiated a suo-motu inquiry into the allegations. A senior cop from the Mundhwa police station, says "Till now, no one has reached out to us. Victims or witnesses have not come forward to record their statements. We have commonly appealed to women to file a formal complaint, but none have responded to yet." Rashmi Shukla, Pune Police Commissioner, says, "We can't conduct investigations till women come forward and file a complaint. We did form a women's cell as part of the routine, but till someone approaches us, we can't do a thing. Any one is free to approach us, even via email. We will keep this inquiry open but until and unless someone comes forward, no action can be taken."
Khodu said that all the allegations made against him are false: Police officials
While Khodu Irani was once out of the town when the issue gained momentum, he visited the Mundhwa police station after returning to Pune, to offer his statement. An professional from the station says, "He said that all the allegations made against him are false. He also said that all of this was a ploy by competitors to get him to shut down the place." According to the professional, Khodu went on to state that all this was once being performed to defame him.
Artists boycott the venue
'I do not believe we will be able to be acting there, not until they own up'
Divya's account was once surprising to learn. We've always had an excellent crowd each and every time we performed there, and feature been dealt with professionally through the venue. I do not believe we will be able to be acting there, not until they own up to the reality that they've a problem and take steps to rectify it. Considering their most up-to-date public statements, maybe this will likely assist them realise that it has taken a lot of courage for lots of girls to talk up about their studies, and it isn't just a vendetta from a unmarried individual. I do hope they do no matter it takes to make it a secure house for women.
— Statement through Blackstratblues to PT
'There will proceed to be a zero-tolerance coverage for any form of sexual harassment at our presentations'
Considering the allegations that have come to gentle over the past two weeks, we determined against shifting ahead with High Spirits as the promoter for our display. Women's protection is a massively vital factor for us in any respect Nucleya presentations across the nation and not one thing we take evenly. There always has been and can proceed to be a zero-tolerance coverage for any form of sexual harassment at our presentations. We need everyone in the target audience to really feel secure, welcome and relaxed.
— Nucleya's statement, on Facebook
'I'm in reality sorry for the ones who needed to undergo this'
My newsfeed is flooded with #metoo updates mostly from girls and some men too. Reading about these studies surfaced a few undesirable repressed recollections and studies that I want I by no means had. As far as the story about High Spirits is worried, I went thru every article, and can not get over the fact that so many girls went thru similar studies. It's disgusting and I'm in reality sorry for the ones who needed to undergo this. I don't need to be a part of the so known as cool gang/scene/venue. This wishes to finish. No more High Spirits! I'm boycotting it for existence.
— Vasuda Sharma, singer-songwriter, on Facebook
'We is not going to improve sexual harassment in any shape'
Sexual harassment in the tune trade is a very deep rooted and troubling issue, and we will be able to not improve it in any form or shape.
— Skyharbor, in a statement on Facebook
#LowSpirits in Pune this Halloween
![#LowSpirits in Pune this Halloween]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
November 02, 2017
Rating:
