A high profile Delhi-based photographer, Manik Katyal, has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women on social media. Why is this shocking? 27-year-old Manik happens to be a well-known name in the photography industry having founded the magazine Emaho. The editor-in-chief has come under the scanner after more than 20 women opened up to being sexually harassed and abused by Katyal. This happened after a blog was posted that stated an incident of abuse made by a woman photographer who had interned at the magazine three years ago.
The woman took to social media to talk about her troubled experience with Katyal after Emaho on November 4 announced a Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Committee. Her post “I was harassed by Manik Katyal” gave rise to a social media campaign against Manik Katyal who had offended several women but managed to get away scot-free due to his powerful position in the industry.
It is the unsaid truth that women face discrimination in every profession and the photography industry is no exception. So when we heard of Emaho creating a committee against sexual harassment and discrimination, we applauded them. Their aim was to ensure that the photography industry had a discrimination and harassment-free environment but little did we know that this move was full of hypocrisy.
The women, in her post, disclosed how Manik had been after her for several months and then abused her for not accepting his sexual advances. This brave move encouraged other women too, to talk about Katyal in the open.
Soon more women began to come out in the open with horrifying stories of similar incidents with Katyal. It was then that the Facebook page “Boycott Manik Katyal” was created. The page now has a series of accounts by various women who have chosen to finally speak up against Manik and expressed outrage.
While the social media outrage went to another level, Manik posted this message on his Facebook page in response.
[fb_post]https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1482735415366042&id=100008887925795&pnref=story[/fb_post]
But the best thing that has happened in the wake of the social media activity against Katyal is that Manik has been dropped from his role as a co-director from the popular fest “Just Another Photo Festival” held in Delhi. Even Schilt Publishing, a Dutch photography publishing house has spoken up against him.
[fb_post]https://www.facebook.com/justanotherphotofestival/posts/548491161975816[/fb_post]
Looks like Facebook activism is actually showing results and we couldn’t be happier. But even though Katyal will have to face the consequences of his deeds, not every person who sexually harasses women is punished for his crimes.
We only wish and hope that more women come out in the open and talk about such incidents and that there are appropriate laws to nab the offenders.
Image via blouinartinfo.com
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