Popular MTV VJ, actress and international model, Shenaz Treasurywala wrote a chilling "Open Letter" to the most powerful men in our country. As shuttles between Mumbai and Newyork for these days, this beautiful lady narrated the terrible experiences of his life in the suburbs, local transportation and workplaces in Mumbai.
"It is our shame is theirs (abusers)," she says, demanding PM Narendra Modi to solve the problems in the country before lecturing abroad. Here's what he says ..
Shenaz Treasurywala Open Letter:
Dear Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Anil Ambani,
I am writing to you specifically because you are the most powerful and influential men of our country.
I am writing to you as a woman who grew up in a middle class family in Mumbai.
I turn to you for help!
My parents do not like me saying this. I apologize to them if they are reading, but this is not my SHAME. It is in their shame.
My first experience with the opposite sex was when I was only 13 and groped by a man (they never saw his face, but never forget your hand) while walking in the vegetable market with my mom. She had just given me the worst haircut and angry as a teenager he was upset by it and lagged behind as she walked ahead. I still remember what I was wearing. It was her dress, mustard flowers and little bow on the front.How I hate that dress! As if it was the fault of the dress.
I was surprised at first. Speechless. He disappeared. I was there. The tears started coming out of my innocent eyes. I told my mom I was going crazy screaming in the market but who knew where the man disappeared. I still remember the dirty feeling I had and the number of times I showered in the bathroom of my grand-mother later. That feeling never left.
Since then went nonstop. I would try to articulate this to my parents and while my mother understands, my father and my uncles told me I was imagining. Maybe just could not deal with that. Is this possible?
When I was 15, I started going by train and bus to the University of San Javier. "I groped and touched and from all angles and this is what I grew up. Not only I but most Indian women do not have the luxury cars and drivers.
As a teenager I dreamed of and still sometimes dream I had a machine gun and could kill all the men who tried to grope me. A very disturbing dream for a child, do not you think?
I got my first job as a model in the FYJC and had to go to the test screen straight out of college. So I had to dress well, does not make it easier. I remember specifically to the time I went to an audition in a red suit and a long black skirt with slits. It was hell! I never wore again. As if it was the fault of the dress.
I have developed ways to defend myself, I always carried a bag in front of me, my fist was always tight, I always turned every 20 seconds to check that behind me and a couple of times slapped me men I have hit, slapped me back many times too. Sometimes saved by the public, not moments.
My mother begged me not to pick fights with men who touched me she was afraid of being thrown acid to me or someone someday seriously hurt me. She still afraid and today she told me not to take one UBER my meeting tomorrow. Hell already. BAN UBER! Make everyone take responsibility for this.
My sister got into the University of Sofia, were all excited. She went by bus, but the first day I came home, she sobbed traumatized. A man had put his hand on his shirt sleeve through the whole bus ride. She just froze. She was a child too and was not equipped to even comprehend this. I was livid. I'm sorry sis for telling the world that, please do not hesitate to talk to me. It is our shame. It's yours!
One of my friends in college was raped in the train on the way home in the ladies' magazine. She was sick and went home at 11:15. There was no one in the first class compartment dating back to Bandra at that time, was a superfast meaning that did not stop at most stations. He raped her and then jumped after using your scrunchy (hair tie) to clean himself. She was the one on the train and had to limp his way back to his home in Bandra, bleeding profusely. It was just 16. This I felt was shame for what she did not say anything to anyone.
But it's not her shame, which is their shame.
My mother accompanied me to Hyderabad on a shoot once. In bazaar churi, cyclist groped my mom. My respected and beloved mother charming.
Sorry Mom, it's not our shame is your shame.
Why am I telling you my story?
Well, first I want all women to talk.
Let's make this our motto:
It is our shame, is their shame.
Who are they "?
"They" are the men in our country.
Not only rapists and sexual and gropers offenders but our parents (dad sorry) and uncles and brothers and film stars and cricketers and politicians to not SAVINGS States or PROTECT US to insist and protest laws to change Gropers and rapists and punished severely!
Why do we as women have to be so afraid? Why has there been no severe action taken? This has gone on for years. Not only in Delhi, but throughout our country and yes, even in Bombay or Mumbai or whatever the hell you want to call it! It's not safe.No!
My biggest since childhood and even today, when I walk back home at night yoga or when I take a rickshaw from the house of a friend is being raped fear. I still feel that fear. I'm still on guard. I still fantasize of having to machine gun.
In the last four years I have been living and working environment in India and half in New York and let me tell you I've walked the streets of Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn (perceived as the most dangerous in New York) at3am after short skirts and parties felt safer than I am in Bandra at 10 pm on a quiet street completely covered. WHY ??
Let's talk about our capital Delhi. I was there two days and the day of the violation ago. I wanted to get out and walk the India Gate and admire our great monuments, but could I! Why ??
What good are all his speeches in the US, Japan or AUSTRALIA NAMO if no woman can walk freely in the streets, even in broad daylight itself in the capital of our country. Is not that a shame? Shame on you SIR.
This is our problem NO1. FIX THIS before anything else.
This is a shame. And it is your shame. You are now RESPONSIBLE FOR US.
I ask all of you fine gentlemen I headed to help change the law.
You are powerful men. I say, shame and punish sex offenders Gropers and severely. KILL violators.
I will not ask the public castration is what I want and all women want because I know this is unrealistic and things are moving so damn slow in our nation FINE.
All I ask is -Death Penalty favor. NOW! FAST!
If that is too hard or takes too long at least life imprisonment.
Put always.
Why was this man who had raped twice before going out on bail?
And then a driver's license is given? YES, EVEN UBER BAN. Make everyone responsible.
I am willing to do anything. I'm not a big enough celebrity, but you Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Sharukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Anil Ambani SIRS- to talk to men (who are the men with power)
It saves!
Please ask for the death penalty for rapists.
Without bail. Only death.
Superstars I beg you, please, take a stand. Use your Superstardom and power and money and save the women of our country. It saves!
I urge you to protest or go on a fast or do something drastic to make people take notice, the government wake up and change the law so that these men are terrified of touching.
Death to the rapists. No bail. Only death.
Imagine Sir Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Ambani- if it was on a fast or walked to Rashrtrapati in Delhi. If he took this position and has made this theme YOUR NO 1, the amount of change that would have!
Why do we as women feel so insecure in our country!
Why do we as women are terrified and on guard all the time.
Why this man on bail after he committed two violations already?
Make an example of him.
Any man who even touches a woman should be imprisoned for life.
Be strict, make examples of these men scare those who dare to touch us.
Scare MAKING AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THEM.
Save us, save your mother, daughter, sister, please!
This is NOT our shame.
This is yours.
What a shame.
No sleep until You- KEEP YOUR WOMEN!
With all due respect,
Shenaz Treasury
