I will not enable, nor will I ostracise and bully, says Ushna Shah
Ushna Shah is doing some contemplating this Ramazan and the topic of mob justice seems to be what she’s focusing on. Sharing photos of Feroze Khan and Aamir Liaquat, she said she will always speak out against bullying and ostracising, something she has experienced herself, because mob justice can leave to the loss of someone’s life.
She shared a long note on Thursday, explaining why she will always advocate against “bullying, ostracising and leading people into a state of irreparable despair”. She attributed it to her own experience being trolled, most recently in the aftermath of her wedding. The Parizaad actor explained that she knew how that can damage a person’s mental health.
“It is a punishment far too harsh for most alleged crimes. It is not for myself or for the online mob to ‘forgive’ for nothing was done to us. I simply won’t be a part of mob justice for I have seen it end a life, that too not long ago, and that trauma will always stay with me,” she said.
Shah feels that while we have to support women who speak against their abusers, that doesn’t mean we reprimand them until there is no hope for them. “We are in an age where it is our duty to stand in solidarity with fellow women, that might make men guilty until proven innocent, and that might seem unfair, but that’s the price they now pay for what we have endured since the dawn of mankind. This solidarity does not entitle us to punish until there is nothing left to do but mourn the accused,” she wrote.
The Balaa actor concluded by saying that she has been dragged into this narrative since day one and this is her stance, “I will not enable, nor will I ostracise and bully.”
Shah also shared a picture of herself with her Habs costar. She captioned it with a Hadith by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) about forgiveness.
In October, Khan’s ex-wife Aliza Sultan opened up about the physical and psychological violence she has faced at the hands of Khan. Emergency room records were shared online that contained medical reports that confirmed the abuse. Shah sided with Sultan and said, “I’m still processing this and am in a state of shock. Nothing can and will justify violence against a woman. My heart is with Aliza as well as Sultan and Fatima.”
Shah also posted a picture of Liaquat and said, “Those who took it upon themselves to punish, troll and bully have blood on their hands. Those of us who knew him and did not forgive when he was in pain have blood on our hands. It is guilt that cannot be erased, but can surely be learnt from.” She added that ostracising and bullying cause irreparable damage.
“To condemn is one thing, but to judge and execute in the court of the mob is yet another wrong that does not make a right.”