The Film Jury Of The Lux Style Awards 2019 Just Issued A Statement, Defending The Decision Of Nominating An Alleged Harasser & Pakistanis Are Not Having It!

Following the boycott of the show by several notable nominees on the account of the inclusion an actor who’s been accused of sexual misconduct multiple times, the film jury of the Lux Style Awards 2019 has finally issued a public statement and its nothing but disappointing.

Read:Pakistani Celebs Are Boycotting Lux Style Awards 2019 For Including A Nominee Who’s Been Accused Of Sexual Misconduct & More Power To These Brave Souls!

According to the statement, “The LSA Film jury joins the Lux Brand and Unilever Pakistan in condemning all acts of intolerance, discrimination or harassment. However…. the decisions of the Film jury were based on an assessment of the merits of the cinematic work…”

PUBLIC STATEMENT BY THE FILM JURY OF THE LUX STYLE AWARDS 2019

The press release closes with cliched phrases like “appreciating the sensitivity” of the issue but eventually implies that the nomination of an alleged harasser is not objectionable because his crime has not been proven in the court yet. Here’s an official statement shared by LSA!

Many had already shared how twisted is the not-guilty-until-proven narrative as a counter-argument to defend LSA’s stance prior the statement…

However, it is the release of this statement by LSA that has everyone talking and lets just say, they don’t have any nicer things to say and rightly so.

Hasan Zaidi who has been on the jury before has written a thread to explain LSA’s position. That said, the precedent set in other entertainment industries in the wake of #MeToo movement tells a different story!

Despite all the arguments made by the seasoned filmmaker, it cannot be denied that in times as WOKE as ours, a multinational brand like Unilever pulling such demeaning and undermining stance with our-hands-are-tired facade is anything but empowering and responsible.

Read:#MeToo: Punjab Government Dismisses A Senior Official After Sexual Misconduct Proved

All those Pakistani women who have come up with their #MeToo stories so far have had to fight against many odds and pay a hefty cost just to ensure that justice is served. But in doing so they have set an example for others to follow. Things are finally looking up for women in Pakistan. Voices are being raised and heard!

Given this, the latest LSA stance is nothing but a setback in a journey that should rather be made rewarding to liberate the survivors from the scars and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Now is the time to do everything that we can in order to shape a safer society for our children that is based on the principles of equality and inclusion. Now is the time to be on the right side of the history! And so we hope that the coming year, unlike LSA, other award shows will stand in solidarity with the survivors of sexual abuse and harassment!

Read:#MeToo: New Screenshots Of Junaid Akram’s Inappropriate Chat With A Fan Surface!