Why Sexist Attacks Against Shilpa Shetty In Raj Kundra Porn Case Are Troubling

With the Mumbai Police's investigation of businessman Raj Kundra's involvement in a case of porn content production and distribution probing deeper everyday, pressure that is directly proportionate to the sensationalism of the matter continues to mount on Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty. Raj Kundra Porn Case

Though the police have cleared they have as yet not identified any "active role" of Shetty, Kundra's wife of over a decade, in the case, the 46-year-old's name is being dragged brutally on the internet by trolls raining sexist rants and memes against her.

All for her identity as the partner of an accused in a controversy that is blowing up nationally.

Half your Shilpa Shetty jokes are unfunny and the other half are sexist and punching low.

— Aditya (@saneitizer) July 21, 2021

Much of the conversation on social media immediately after Kundra's arrest on July 19 - that is continuing still - revolves distastefully around sexualising Shetty for her husband's actions, denouncing her with misogynistic abuses, mischievously pulling apart her personal life.

Since when did the general public become the judge, jury and executioner? Does the rush to weigh in on discussions on social media justify making unsubstantiated claims that crucify a third person without investigation and trial?

Shilpa Shetty Trolled For Being Raj Kundra's Wife: Why It's Problematic

As per latest updates, the Mumbai Police on Friday raided Shetty and Kundra's house in their probe of the porn production case. Follow the case here. Kundra has been remanded to police custody for an extended four days, with the court hearing the case on July 27. Police officials, calling him a "key conspirator" in the racket, have gained access to WhatsApp chats that are evidence against Kundra.

They claim he was running operations for an app called Hotshots that published adult content, with actors Poonam Pandey and Sherlyn Chopra allegedly involved with his company issuing statements against him. What prominent women are saying about Kundra.

Parallelly, an online rant against Shetty progresses hotly, with netizens poking fun at the Dhadkan actor's position in the entire situation.

It is indicative of the deeply ">sexist perspectives our society at large still harbours, wherein divorcing a woman from the circumstances of her partner seems practically (read: patriarchally) impossible.

Here's what talk on the internet sounds like: 

Shilpa Shetty will now introduce Raj Kundra as ‘Yeh hai mera pati porneshwar!’😜

— HasnaZarooriHai (@HasnaZaruriHai) July 20, 2021

Everybody to Shilpa Shetty after #RajKundraArrest pic.twitter.com/53MujZp1DJ

— Honey_2014 (@Honey20148) July 20, 2021

Shilpa Shetty after she gets to know the expansion of their family business
: Superrrrrr se bhi uparrrrrrrr#ShilpaShettyhusband #RajKundraArrest pic.twitter.com/dWYhAmMlns

— ASHNA (@ASHNA12209283) July 20, 2021

Shetty is not a standalone example in such situations where a woman has borne the brunt of her partner's deeds or misdeeds. Every time Virat Kohli underperforms in a cricket match, trolls swoop down on his wife Anushka Sharma with a barrage of blame. Last year, a large section of the country partook in bringing and stamping down Rhea Chakraborty after the death of her boyfriend, actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

'She must have done something.' 'She mustn't have done enough.' 'Why did she allow him to become like that?' 'If she would have been a dutiful partner, he wouldn't have strayed onto the wrong path.' 

Is it not time to stop staking the dignity and lives of women by deeming them soft targets? What purpose do these premature exchanges fulfil, except for a prejudiced, lopsided narrative women have so fervently been trying to push against? Law will take its course. But which one are we as a society taking?

Views expressed are the author's own. 

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