NCW member Khushbu Sundar, Suhasini Maniratnam and Jackie Shroff criticised for posing with Dileep: ‘Deeply triggering’

Khushbu Sundar, Suhasini Maniratnam, Jackie Shroff, and Ambika were criticized for posing with Malayalam actor Dileep, the eighth accused in the 2017 actress sexual abuse case.

South Indian actors with actor Dileep. (Image: X/Subha Jayanagaraja)

National Commission for Women (NCW) member and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Khushbu Sundar has found herself embroiled in controversy after a photo surfaced online of her posing with Malayalam actor Dileep, the eighth accused in the 2017 actress sexual abuse case. The image, featuring other notable personalities like Suhasini Maniratnam, Jackie Shroff, and Ambika, has left netizens questioning the ethics and integrity of the actors.

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Independent Journalist Subha Jayanagaraja was the first one to condemn the actors for their insensitivity in standing alongside someone accused of a heinous crime. She emphasised the need for greater sensitivity in public appearances, especially concerning issues as grave as sexual assault. “National Commission for Women member Khushbu. Standing next to Dileep, man accused in sexual assault case. And there are Suhasini and Jackie Shroff too, among others. I know everything goes these days, but at least care for optics, if not for women. Deeply triggering,” she wrote.

National Commission for Women member Khushbu. Standing next to Dileep, man accused in sexual assault case. And there are Suhasini and Jackie Shroff too, among others. I know everything goes these days, but at least care for optics, if not for women. Deeply triggering. pic.twitter.com/eIvElMxZNk

— Subha Jayanagaraja (@subhajrao) May 5, 2024

The picture was reportedly taken at the wedding reception of Jayaram’s daughter Malavika.

Social media users echoed similar sentiments, hitting out at Khushbu and her colleagues for disregarding the trauma experienced by survivors. Another user wrote, “This is the problem with Indian society. The victim and her loved ones undergo all the trauma & stigmatization. Meanwhile, the abuser goes around as though nothing happened. And other women are ok as long it’s not them. Refusal to be in the same pic can be the bare minimum one can do.”

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Netizens claimed that the picture shows how women in power don’t care about being in solidarity with victims of sexual harassment. The actresses are yet to reply to the criticism.

Earlier, CM MK Stalin, Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, and many such personalities came under fire for inviting lyricist Vairamuthu to events. The ace lyricist was accused of sexual harassment by several women, but till now no case has been filed against him.

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