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Catcalling is not fun or funny, Mawra Hocane

Catcalling is not fun or funny, Mawra Hocane

In a resurfaced clip from Good Morning Pakistan, Hocane claims she does not mind being catcalled. "Unki bhi Eid hai."
Updated 25 Jul, 2020

Morning shows in Pakistan have been making headlines long enough, and more often than not, it is because their ability to breed problematic content has left viewers in bewilderment and disbelief.

Recently, snippets from an old episode of Nida Yasir's show Good Morning Pakistan have been making the rounds on social media, where the team of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 was invited to promote an Eid special.

Being a festive occasion full of joy and tradition, Yasir nudged the celebrities to give an insight into their childhood celebrations.

"The girls go out to buy bangles, but the boys go to look, we all know," she says addressing the men.

"Yasir Hussain, have you specifically left the house on Chand Raat to stalk girls?" she asks the Lahore Se Aagey actor. She then addresses Humayun Saeed and Yasir Nawaz.

"So tell us, did you ever leave your houses on Eid with the intention that you would get to see beautiful women at the markets?"

When the replies are awkward, the host turns to the women, inquiring Hocane, "Have you ever been teased?" who casually replied, "I think this is the fun of Lahore. The boys are catcalling, teasing, the cars are blasting full music. I think that's the feel of Lahori Eid."

Surprisingly, she continues. "So we don't mind, keep looking at us."

Nida then questions Mawra: "If anyone teases you even now, you won't mind?"

"No, chalega, unki bhi Eid hai. (It doesn't matter, its their Eid too)," she replies. Everyone laughs, the audience claps and the topic has come to an end. But has it, really?

Mawra has very nonchalantly pointed out that the spirit of Eid in Lahore comes at the expense of hundreds of women, the ones without bodyguards, who go out with the intention to shop and celebrate, but are catcalled and harassed by men in public spaces.

She has also, publicly acknowledged that she is okay with such harassment because it’s all in good humour. But other than the three guests on the show, I don't know who is laughing.

Boys catcalling girls from roaring cars is not "fun." Celebrations based on women's discomfort are not "fun." Objectification of our bodies on the streets is not "fun." Being groped is not "fun;" and its extremely careless to normalise harassment, as if it's a convenient part of our culture.

It’s sad that celebrities who come on such morning shows, despite having the platform and power to influence people, do not actively advocate for safety, education or respectful co-existence in society.

Instead, every morning, the audience has at their disposal an entertainment platform that more or less, encourages harassers and unhinged men to openly catcall, discredit and disrespect women in a society they are already marginalised in.

What's even more unfortunate is that despite constant criticism, schooling and protest, Good Morning Pakistan does not generate better content, and does not do better.

Trusting in growth and refraining from cancel culture; here's hoping that Mawra's views have changed since then.

Comments

Dr.Sadaf Jul 24, 2020 08:52pm
Think before you speak
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Dr. Doctor Jul 24, 2020 08:55pm
Good job Yusra. So true. Very impressive take. Yusra has grown cojones. Good take on something that would've been otherwise ignored. Keep it up.
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Asad Kizilbash Jul 24, 2020 09:52pm
Highly callous behavior by the celebrity, these unweighted statements promote and justify the despicable conduct noted in Pakistani society.
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M. Saeed Jul 24, 2020 10:24pm
Very careless and obviously trouble inviting comments of Mawra.
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Bina khan Jul 25, 2020 08:45am
I agree that morning shows like Good Morning Pakistan is a waste of people’s time. The content is not at all useful, productive or educational rather it is just a money making thing for the host and the channel.
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Alih Jul 25, 2020 09:16am
Agreed.
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Drone Jul 25, 2020 09:25am
Useless shows and good for nothing hosts
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Laila Jul 25, 2020 10:20am
It's best that certain many many celebrities incl Nidah Yasir stay quiet. Just so they don't embarrass themselves.
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Saoud Ahmed Jul 25, 2020 10:45am
Nida Yasir is always out of mind during her live shows. She doesn't even know how to speak and what sort of questions should be asked because the program is going live. She sometimes asks unethical and immoral questions from the guests. Even that of their very private life. Don't believe me feel free to find her viral clips on YouTube. You'll find them available. She embarrasses the guests even sometimes insults them in the name of fun. Certain guests have left her show during the live recording. Shabir Jan is one of them who couldn't bear her stupidity. PEMRA should take notice of such programs and should be notified not to cross certain extents while questioning.
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AbdulHaque Shaikh Jul 25, 2020 06:31pm
It is fun . Relax. Let people have some craziness in life. Too a limit of course. She is in show biz. Why you see her show. Not to look at her? and if you did not enjoy her comments even if feels silly, shut your TV
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A. ALI Jul 25, 2020 07:12pm
She is mavra Hussain, or maira Hussain or what else ... thanks for clarification. Any one please....
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Laila Jul 25, 2020 08:19pm
Many of our celebrities don't appear very mature minded or even intelligent when they open their mouths. Nidah Yasir being among the absolute worse. Even other celebrities have gotten fed up with her. One senior actor berated her and walked off the show. It's best such celebrities stay in familiar waters, by looking pretty and just chat about the superficial stuff they do so well. I hope, Mawra has grown wiser since then.
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Smith Jones Jul 25, 2020 08:25pm
That is why education is more important than a beautiful face...
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Meeshaytariq Jul 26, 2020 08:50pm
Sickening!
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THE LAST WORD Jul 26, 2020 11:19pm
Marwa it seems, fails to recognise that her opinion does not reflect that of the majority of the awam.
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SS Jul 27, 2020 11:13am
@Dr.Sadaf Host should think before asking such low IQ questions.
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mir shakeel Jul 27, 2020 06:15pm
Mawra is awsome person and correct on the issue
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