The BCCI notice slammed at Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul came like a breath of fresh air after the misogynistic Koffee With Karan episode aired on Sunday. One gets to know all that is wrong with the episode within a few minutes into the show which literally does not need to be watched any longer to understand how low these men could stoop. The two cricketers have managed to create a buzz for all the wrong reasons, and lack of education is probably just ‘one’ of them, else why would young ‘successful’ men like them find it rather funny to objectify women and take pride in doing so. We understand how lack of education can totally wipe out many important aspects of knowledge that one gains through it, but that is no ‘excuse’ to behave like a male chauvinistic pig and act cool about it.
One needs to also observe how Karan Johar ‘laughs’ at every comment made and clearly enjoys himself during the entire duration of the show. Karan did not seem uncomfortable for a single second and continued asking questions which he knew would get him ‘interesting replies’. The cricketers did not just reveal an aspect of their identity, which is problematic, to say the least, but we also had the host of the show giggling, laughing and applauding them at every point. The fact that we have leading men (in their respective professions) speak in a manner that literally exhibits the sad reality behind the humungous success of the songs created by certain artists, who objectify women in the most degrading way possible, puts us women in a very bad light as we may not even realize how we end up becoming passive supporters by not taking a stand, reinforcing this toxic culture, where ‘disgusting’ is the norm.
I definitely had a good laugh reading Hardik Pandya’s so-called ‘apology’ posted on Twitter and Instagram. It said, “After reflecting on my comments on Koffee With Karan, I would like to apologize to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way. Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone’s sentiments. Respect”. First of all, we are not sure if he really wrote this considering his statements made during the show, and secondly, even if he did write it, the tweet does not come across as a genuine apology, but more like something he was forced to write on account of public outrage and the BCCI notice. The fact that he got ‘carried away’ speaks less about the ‘nature of the show’ and much more about ‘him’ and his demeaning views on women. To expect one to have an overnight realization of the lowness of the words uttered is hard to believe and frankly pretty hard to digest in his case. The apology looks too scripted and forced, to say the least.
Hardik, you do not need to say sorry, because you are NOT. We are, for having thought that capable men like you and Rahul would set the right examples in every way. We are sorry for burdening you with our expectations. We are sorry for confusing good players as sensible humans.
Hope you can see the world better without your ‘yellow glasses’.