Indian TV screenwriter Vinta Nanda, who filed an FIR against veteran actor Alok Nath for allegedly raping her, says she is not seeking revenge from the actor.
Nanda says she wants justice but also wants to clarify that she would have forgiven Alok Nath had he shown remorse for his actions.
"I was never in this for revenge. I want correction, not revenge," she said in a recent interview. "Show some remorse, show some sign of repentance. Let me know that no other woman would be violated by you the way I was. All I see right now is an attitude of defiance and shamelessness. If that's the way it is going to be, then I'll see my fight for justice to the end."
She added, "He is brazening it out when he should have apologised. Instead he got his wife to speak on his behalf. That is so sad. In our society women still feel like standing by their husbands -- no matter how wrong they are -- is their dharma. Men take advantage of this unconditional spousal support."
Speaking about the FIR she filed against the actor, Nanda said, "Actually the FIR was lodged on Tuesday. The media got wind of it on Wednesday morning and all hell broke loose. And I mean that in a good way. If it wasn't for the media my fight for justice would never have come so far. I am lucky to have such invaluable support from my friends, my family and from the media who have pitched in their trust behind my fight."
"I feel blessed. Firstly, it's not a lonely battle. I have my mother, family and several close friends with me. As for the legal battle ahead I am very well armed and equipped. Three of the brightest young lawyers of Mumbai -- Dhruti Kapadia, Faranaaz Kharbhari and Kunal Tiwari -- are fighting my case free of cost. They believe in my fight. Today I can dare to face a legal battle without fearing the financial burden."
The 48-year-old is glad that people are being outed for sexual harassment and assault and that the MeToo movement is finally taking flight.
"There is just no room or tolerance for inappropriate behaviour any more. There are so many women out there who have been raped, molested, harassed, eve-teased."
"Men who thought troubling women was their birthright have been forced to reconsider their patriarchal definitions of gender relations.What seemed 'normal' to them earlier will land them in serious trouble now. And they know it. That's the difference."
Nanda first opened up about being raped by Alok Nath in an open letter on October 8. Nath denied the charges and his wife filed a defamation case against Nanda. In response to this, Nanda filed an official police complaint against the actor.
Although it's generous of Nanda to want to forgive Alok for his actions, it is important to note that a sexual offender should be punished for criminal acts.
