Chinmayi Sripaada lashes out at Abhirami Venkatachalam for supporting Kalakshetra Foundation

She added, “The accused were not given a chance to speak. They also have family and children. It is not right to hear just one side of the story and act on it.”

Taking a dig at Chinmayi, she said, “Whatever abuse, one should come out at the time it happened. Earlier, one started a similar trend. After getting famous, sitting on top and putting ‘hash tags’ is not great. So, I think that has to be taken under consideration.”

She further said that women have to complain about harassment then and there when it happens. “We are not living in the 80s to have no support. It is not like parents today won’t back you. So, women should not say I was scared to open up or tell anyone.”

Many called out Abhirami Venkatachalam on social media for being blindsided by privilege. Her statement about people who couldn’t pronounce the name Kalakshetra is being termed as casteist. Netizens also pointed out the irony of Abhirami having acted in Nerkonda Paaravai (Tamil remake of Pink) as one of the victims.

In response to her statements, Chinamyi took to social media to share how she has been opening up about her struggles from the start but didn’t get the support. She said that even people who she looked up to put her down by asking to ‘hug it out’ with her abuser. She wrote, “Time & again have Women AND men in the industry have directly, indirectly shamed me. When Singer Srinivas, a man I looked up to as a mentor told someone ‘You all need to understand why she doesnt get support even if her cause is just’ was perhaps the most heartbreaking for me. He & many others, while they are AT IT to rehabilitate & support a known serial offender; + the suggestion given to me ‘Meet (the molester) & Hug it out’. Sowcar Janaki to Venniradai Nirmala to Shakila to… My list is too long. I expect nothing really from my industry or the fraternity anymore as they all stand watching ME getting incarcerated for speaking the TRUTH – A truth that they ALL KNOW. When I spoke in 2018 IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME – I TOLD MANY OTHERS OVER THE YEARS. JUST NOT IN PUBLIC. THE MOLESTER’S FAMILY KNOWS. Even if they deny.”

The singer continued, “The industry knows these & many more open secrets; yet will continue to hobnob with molesters, even if their own daughters were touched without consent by these very men. I knew then, for many men it is business as usual. Yet I’m still surprised when another like Abhirami shames me, the endless optimist that I still stupidly am. Maybe I should just be grateful that time exposes people for who they are. 5 GODDAMNED YEARS and I am still banned by then DMK now BJPs Radha Ravi. I have faced the most shaming by multiple political party minions. YET I’m glad I SPOKE THE TRUTH. It is a pity that my daughter & son are growing up amongst adults who promote rape culture. Here’s something I want to tell all survivors of sexual abuse – God knows all us women, transpeople & many men have undergone this, YET we remain silent because this rape apologist society tells us it is our mistake.”

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A post shared by Chinmayi Sripada (@chinmayisripaada)

“SPEAK UP IF YOU WANT, WHEN READY, OR DON’T. IT NOT OUR SHAME NOT OUR FAULT. Lady Gaga is yet to name her Rapist BTW. HAD I REMAINED SINGLE OR BEEN UNLUCKY TO MARRY INTO A FAMILY OTHER THAN THE ONE I MARRIED INTO & THE INLAWS I HAVE – I COULDNT HAVE SPOKEN UP. I’D HAVE BEEN SILENT JUST LIKE THE COUNTLESS OTHER GIRLS I KNOW WHOSE CRAPPY PARENTS & INLAWS ASK THEM THEM TO SHUT UP. May time teach them all the lesson they deserve,” Chinmayi concluded.

So, far four faculty members of a college run by the Kalakshetra Foundation have been accused of sexual harassment by former students, and one Assistant Professor named Hari Padman has been arrested by the police.