rape/sexual assault and media responsibility

To say I'm disgusted is truly an understatement!!!!

I've been a fan of this show since the day it started and a fan of Gul Khan's work.
I understand the importance that the main lead need to separate or have conflict before they actually come together. I enjoyed this show for its freshness and the quality of its actors.

Strangely I thought ths show was much much better - especially the chemstry and characterisation of Asad-Zoya when there was no Tanveer. where the only conflict came from the differences in ideology and mannerism and not an external character.

Today, I'm truthfully saddened. Did it have to go down this route - drugging asad and either having sex / illusion of sex with Tanveer?!
I think not. There are many ways Gul Khan could have introduced conflict. Many storylines that she could have pursued that she sowed the seeds at the start of the show. Alas- she went down this route - which was utterly disgusting!

Rape or sexual assaults (of any kind) is not a thing that one uses to increase TRPs or to bring in conflict to a story. Rape whether the victim is men / women (and it can happen to both) is a complete uninvited invasion of someone physically, psychologically and spiritually! One never gets over it - one will always be traumatised by it. And to see it being portrayed on media is not a laughing matter for the sake of TRPs or to move the story forward.

Rape happen - and in India, its incidences and prevalences are huge.
But I think it is important that media take some responsibility of not showing it on screen as it takes away the real issues behind rape and I dont understand what does it show - that to get something, someone can go to all extremes including violating someone else?!!!

Tonight, I'm sure the TRPs would increase (human are pathetic that way - we like to see some other's sufferings - and we will use the excuse that it happens or in the name of art). I think shows that show rape have to show an element of education of the public and that is their social responsibility, especially in a country such as India where rape is a daily occurence and is downplayed so much.
I struggle to find out what the message is in today's episode and the coming episodes. For that, I'm so disappointed and for that, I think Ms Gul Khan may have one less fan!

Will I keep watching? At the moment, I dont think so. I shall rewatch old episodes where there was so much freshness and so much hope especially in Asya.
I dont see this anymore. Yes we do have wonderful Asya scenes but they are rushed - as though sprinkle of candy to children, before they rush back to Tanveer.

I'm certainly not interested in watching Tanveer and never was. I put up with her for the sake of watching Asya and hoping that against all odds, there would be an Asya. Now it truly does not matter. The freshness of Asya as in the past has gone. Surbhi and Karan are amazing actors. Pity CVs are not!

Sorry for my ranting but I felt I needed to get it off my chest! Thank you so much for reading!!!!!!

I don't think Tanveer raped Asad, I'm pretty sure she just made it look like they did the deed by taking his shirt off and laying down next to him. Asad was unconscious, so I don't think that Tanveer could have physically done anything with him, since he's the man.

Thanks for putting this into words I could not. asad was given that date rape like drug and taken advantage of...that is rape...tanveer may have staged it such that it looks like asad took adv of her but what an awful message...men can get raped too and that's what tanveer did. But no one would ever believe asad exct zoya.

Hi Hanee,

Originally posted by: malam10

I don't think Tanveer raped Asad, I'm pretty sure she just made it look like they did the deed by taking his shirt off and laying down next to him. Asad was unconscious, so I don't think that Tanveer could have physically done anything with him, since he's the man.

I do not agree with the track and I'm not saying we should be promoting such acts by glorifying them on TV like you said, I just think it wasn't rape.

I agree with you that there are many other ways to go about the story and show conflict in the relationship, etc and we shouldn't be glorifying such nasty, despicable acts on Indian TV, especially since rape is so prevalent in India.

But as much as the media should take responsibility for what they show, rape in itself is a societal problem. There is no reason that a society should be swayed into thinking rape is acceptable, or not a terrible disgusting act, only because of a TV show. We as human beings should have an understanding better than what is being shown to us on a TV show. Afterall, its only a television show, its not real life.

I dont think she raped him either. Impossible if he was under the influence of some drugs - but then again rape can occur in males under drug influence as well.
Irrespective of whether actual rape (sexual assault with full penetration) or some other sexual assault - I believe the impact on the victim is disastrous!

Rape is definitely a societal problem and I agree its just a TV shows but how often are people's behaviour easily swayed by TV - loads! So even though we would like to think we have the mental capacity to differentiate what is real from reel life; unfortunately there are many who do not and there are many who succumb or are part of the herd mentality. We just need to look at India where it is predominantly a patriarchal society, where there is huge percentage of illiteracy and where there is still so much scope to instill the appreciation that man & woman are equal and given equal rights and respect and treatment. Based on these facts, any show - particularly one's made for the popular viewing within our culture need to take on more responsibility and ask what kind of message would they like to deliver!

Originally posted by: machar13

Thanks for putting this into words I could not. asad was given that date rape like drug and taken advantage of...that is rape...tanveer may have staged it such that it looks like asad took adv of her but what an awful message...men can get raped too and that's what tanveer did. But no one would ever believe asad exct zoya.

I agree. I think only zoya would believe in asad but maybe later on in the upcoming episodes. What is more evident is the level of her hurt and pain; and her conviction in her love that he would not have broken her trust! But I suppose maybe she underestimated the wickedness of Tanveer!

Originally posted by: Fuzzd

Hi Hanee,

Thank you for your post. It mirrors exactly how I feel about rape and the perceptions created by and the responsibility expected from the media. It really saddens me that the writers would choose something so offensive such as rape/ sexual assault to destroy something as pure and innocent as the love shared by ASYA.

I am new to this forum but have been a silent follower since the start of QH. I love this show and everything It has portrayed or proposes to stand for . . I am a Muslim, South African woman who is lucky enough to live in a country and community where women and men are treated as equals. Yet despite this, rape is a disease that effects us all and it is a plague that keeps growing. I am therefore really disappointed that this was the avenue chosen by the writers to increase trps. One would hope that the talented writers of QH would have used this platform to educate its audience against such behaviour rather than promoting it, as they have done today.

I am deeply disappointed and can only hope for redemption in the upcoming episodes. TV is a form of escapism from the harsh and cruel world we live in. Beautiful, positive ASYA moments are what we all look forward to at the end of a hard day ...having to deal with the harsh realities of rape and the emotions it brings with it is not what we expect or want from our shows. QH (like the original punar vivah) is currently the only show of substance on tv. Please don't spoil this beautiful show and the joy it brings to its followers world wide by silly irresponsible tracks such as the only shown today.

I too am hoping for a redemption track in upcoming episodes but still cant shake the disappointment that the talented writers of QH chose this track to cause Asya's separation. I think CVs have somehow spoilt a beautiful show pre-tanveer and it would be very very hard for them to return it to the joy it was before. But we will have to wait and watch I suppose.

your right sexual intercourse with out concent is Rape and sexual assault, weather the victim is a woman or man. and Gul Khan taking this root to create conflict between the leads is disgusting.

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3635714

Originally posted by: hkhb17

I dont think she raped him either. Impossible if he was under the influence of some drugs - but then again rape can occur in males under drug influence as well.
Irrespective of whether actual rape (sexual assault with full penetration) or some other sexual assault - I believe the impact on the victim is disastrous!

Rape is definitely a societal problem and I agree its just a TV shows but how often are people's behaviour easily swayed by TV - loads! So even though we would like to think we have the mental capacity to differentiate what is real from reel life; unfortunately there are many who do not and there are many who succumb or are part of the herd mentality. We just need to look at India where it is predominantly a patriarchal society, where there is huge percentage of illiteracy and where there is still so much scope to instill the appreciation that man & woman are equal and given equal rights and respect and treatment. Based on these facts, any show - particularly one's made for the popular viewing within our culture need to take on more responsibility and ask what kind of message would they like to deliver!