By Arré Bench Nov. 06, 2020
If actor and model Poonam Pandey has been arrested in Goa for allegedly shooting a vulgar video, why has no action been taken against Milind Soman for running naked on a beach?
An unclothed Milind Soman running on a beach in Goa “broke the internet”. When Poonam Pandey stripped on a beach, also in Goa, recently, she was arrested for “obscenity”. It is actually the hypocrisy here, that is… stark naked.
#PoonamPandey & #MilindSoman both stripped down to their birthday suits in #Goa recently. Pandey partly, Soman completely. Pandey is in legal trouble–for obscenity. Soman is being lauded for his fit body at age 55. I guess we are kinder to our nude men than to our nude women. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qQ9UFQIYXJ
— Apurva (@Apurvasrani) November 4, 2020
Soman shared the image on social media to mark his 55th birthday. “Happy Birthday to me, 55 and running,” he wrote. It received predictable responses, with some people praising his fitness levels, others crushing over his body.
Are you for real? 😍 #MadeInIndia https://t.co/BxHD1QDK5P
— Moujhuri Guha (@Megha25) November 5, 2020
So much hotness and that fitness! Happy birthday Milind! https://t.co/SpJv6pdnHo
— Deepa Iyer (@jiljilramamani) November 4, 2020
However, many pointed out the obvious. The male privilege. While Soman can fearlessly run naked and flaunt his body for some social media attention, a woman would get trolled and slut-shamed if she decided to strip in public.
The fact that this Tweet thread is not filled with vile trolling and rape threats tells you everything you need to know about male privilege. https://t.co/0PjILkkIxa
— Bulbul (@enlight1298) November 5, 2020
bet no one will call him a r**di and ask him for his night rate for this https://t.co/VdrPZuqvfu
— Fullmetal Alka Yagnik ☭ (@donkhotte) November 5, 2020
I really love this picture! Absolutely gorgeous body I swear. But I have seen women getting slut shamed for flaunting their gorgeous bodies and I guess that is where the problem lies. Male privilege is a thing! Understand! https://t.co/03d3hItbZj
— cliterally me (@cliterallyme_) November 4, 2020
There are no comments trashing his morality. Wow! Indians celebrating a man running naked but call women names & shameless for wearing sports bra.
Where are those freaking “Duppatta podunga Doli” groups?
MALE PRIVILEGE & SHITS, Gentle women! https://t.co/TdXu7amvJ9
— Dhivya Marunthiah (@DhivCM) November 4, 2020
A man can post a nude picture of himself on social media in India and he will be praised for his fitness.
If a woman posts a semi nude photo, then her morals and upbringing will be questioned immediately by the so- called Social Media Brothers.
Male privilege is a Fact. https://t.co/t2LHBMkbIy
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) November 4, 2020
One doesn’t need to conjure up hypothetical scenarios of “what would happen if a woman did this”, because we precisely know the consequences. The Goa Police on Thursday evening arrested actor and model Poonam Pandey and her husband for shooting an “obscene video”, ANI reported. The women’s wing of the Goa Forward Party had also filed a separate complaint against her for shooting an “indecent video” at the Chapoli Dam in Canacona on Wednesday.
What makes it worse is the fact that it is the woman’s wing of a political party that has filed the case against Poonam Pandey. I am not questioning them, just asking why Milind Soman was spared.
This is what we mean when we say women are gatekeepers of patriarchy
— Natasha 🌈 نتاشا (@nuts2406) November 5, 2020
According to PTI, several residents of Canacona town called for a shutdown as they demanded action against police officials who allegedly provided protection to Pandey and her crew members for the shoot. Inspector Tukaram Chavan and a constable were placed under suspension, according to Superintendent of Police (South) Pankaj Kumar Singh.
Actor Poonam Pandey Detained In Goa Over “Obscene” Shoot, 2 Cops Suspended https://t.co/tseYjrHFek pic.twitter.com/9IKBp2SYvR
— NDTV (@ndtv) November 5, 2020
But why is Pandey arrested and Soman let go?
Time to reflect. Even the most liberal and forward thinking of us need to pause and understand what #MalePrivilege really is. Call out your own double standards. Thats the first step. #MilindSonam #PoonamPandey
— Arfi Lamba (@arfilamba) November 5, 2020
It is not my case to approve/disapprove either but we should pause and think how hypocritical we are as a society!!!
On the same day we react differently to two different images.
Skin show by men is OK but by women ❌❌❌
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/XWwhOXHOTf
— Amitabha Bandyopadhy (@abandopa) November 4, 2020
@harshaag_15 Milind Soman applauded for the same for which FIR is filed against Poonam Pandey
This is why Feminism is important😒
— imravikumar (@imrichie13) November 5, 2020
Why Goa police arrested #PoonamPandey?
Because she did a nude shoot.Why is Milind Soman not arrested then? pic.twitter.com/cvLDU6vL7J
— Rama Ayyub (@SuspendedAkount) November 5, 2020
This is India, where only women can be vulgar.
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