#MeToo: Actor Piyush Mishra Accused Of Sexual Harassment

Two weeks ago, Tanushree Dutta probably had no idea that she was starting a movement which would take the country by storm. Her sexual harassment charges against Nana Patekar have inspired other women, across professions, to come forward with their experiences of sexual harassment.

With so many faces unmasked in Bollywood, another name added to the list is actor-poet Piyush Mishra. A woman named Ketaki Joshi has accused Mishra of harassment. She took to Facebook to narrate her ordeal.

"Grabbed my hand and started rubbing his hands against mine"

In the post, she mentioned that she had met him in 2014 at a private party, organised by her friends. On seeing her standing in a corner, he asked her sit next to him and she did. "It was my fan moment. I praised him for his work and said I was a fan. He started lightly flirting in front of 20-25 people. Sang a song, looking right into my eyes. Everything was pleasant till then. I took it as harmless flirting. He was drinking all through the party and was too drunk by the time of wrap-up," she wrote.

She added that she could not leave for home until her friend was ready to leave. The woman wrote how Mishra was "too drunk" by time party was wrapping up. "He was sitting in a chair and as soon as I passed near him, he grabbed my hand and started rubbing his hands against mine."

She looked at her host in the hope that she would help her, following which the host took her to the terrace to help clear things up.

"I am putting this because he might have done this to other women in absence of anyone else. I want to give them courage to speak up"

"Unfortunately, he was sitting between the kitchen and the terrace of the penthouse. As I was making another round to the terrace, he again grabbed my hand and started rubbing it. He suddenly stood up and took a step towards me. I sensed that he was coming to hug me or grope. I told him in an authoritative voice, "Aap please baith jaye".

On hearing this, other people in the party came forward to help and took her away from the place. Ketki also wrote that she hasn't mentioned her friends' names as she does not wish to drag them in the matter unnecessarily. She wrote how she is not afraid even if Mishra chooses to file a defamation suit.

https://www.facebook.com/ketkijoshi10/posts/2273345022707092

While #MeToo in journalism has gathered much momentum, Bollywood's #MeToo is still making progress. Some big names like Queen director Vikas Bahl and actor Alok Nath have been accused of sexual misconduct.

Photo credit: Patrika

Also Read: #MeToo Movement Has Finally Begun, Says Sushant Singh