Parliament not immune to casting couch: Renuka

Parliament is not immune to the casting couch, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury today said, describing the practice as the "bitter truth" not just of the film industry but of all work spaces.

The former Member of Parliament also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he had "snatched" her dignity when he said during a debate in the Rajya Sabha that she reminded him of a character in the Ramayana serial aired on television.

"It's the bitter truth. It is not just in the film industry. This happens everywhere in work spaces. Don't imagine that Parliament is immune (to it) or some other work space is immune," she stressed.

Across the world, Chowdhury said, women were speaking up against harassment.

"It's time India stood up and said 'me too'," the former Rajya Sabha member said, pointing out that top actresses in Hollywood had done so.

"If you look at the western world today, established top actresses took so long to come out and say 'me too'," she told a television channel earlier today, in reference to Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan's remarks defended the casting couch culture, under which people are forced to grant sexual facours in exchange for rewards such as roles or assignments.

Later, at a press conference at her residence here, Chowdhury elaborated on the issue.

"Casting couch means privileges of women are taken away and used for personal benefit or in lieu of other compensations," she said.

At the press meet, she also accused Modi of having "snatched" her dignity.

"Narendra Modi had snatched my dignity when he said I remind him of Surpanakha. Okay, I am Surpanakha and I do not want to become Sita," she said, and accused Union Minister Kiren Rijiju of circulating videos targeting her over her laughter in the Rajya Sabha.

Modi had not referred to demoness Surpanakha by name during the debate in February after Chowdhury had burst out into a loud guffaw.

"Sabhapati ji, I request you not to say anything to Renuka ji. After the Ramayan serial, we got the privilege of hearing this kind of laughter only today," Modi had said.

Chowdhury went on to explain that the casting couch menace was not as prevalent in politics as it was in some other areas.

"Politics is the most transparent system. There are no secrets in politics. A redressal cell in politics is inherent as we have seniors, women colleagues and support systems."
Pitching for a "you too" movement, Chowdhury said, "There must be a 'you too' campaign so that any woman can say - I am naming you because you are responsible and you too are an offender."