"It Is Truly The Victory Of Good Over Evil", Says Sona Mohapatra

Singer Sona Mohapatra who initiated #MoveOutMalik campaign finally broke her silence over Anu Malik stepping down from the position as a judge on singing reality show Indian Idol. With multiple allegations of misbehavior with artists, Anu Malik in a statement confirmed that he will be taking a break of three weeks from the show. He also claimed that he will clear his name in the controversy and will be back in the show.

Talking about the entire incident Sona Mohapatra said, "Ever since Sony TV had decided to reinstate a multiple accused sexual offender as judge on TV, not just me but many good people of India have been shocked, victims, survivors and their families have relived their trauma and humiliation, it has been a very tough period for all. The dangerous message that was being put out was that the safety and dignity of women and children do not matter to Sony TV. Also, it was telling other perverts in society that they too can get away with such behavior and in fact be rewarded.

She further said,"It is truly the victory of good over evil, the legend of Maheshasura Mardini, Durga vanquishing the demon lives on in India. When I speak of the legend and mythology, it’s more from a symbolic, cultural and in fact, artistic point of view... Multiple women have spoken up about Anu Malik in the public domain, and it is sad and appalling that Sony took us all for granted and for so long. I believe this victory is for all of us to celebrate. The second wave of #MeToo is here and it’s #TimesUp."

"I believe that my letter to the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Irani was the final nail. She is someone whom I admire for her tenacity, commitment to peoples welfare and I do believe that she must have played a role in this decision of Sony. I thank her and all the other women and men and media who supported the campaign of #MoveOutMalik. We all benefit from a pest-free world to live in, both men and women. I hope Sony TV shows the grace of issuing a public apology for hiring a person without any due process or enquiry into the allegations against him,"said Sona Mohapatra.