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New Delhi: The word
'sexy' crept into the Indian lexicon a long time ago, but it
continues to create ripples in a society where the conservative
goes hand in hand with the modern. Some find it outrageous and
derogatory while others say it is important to see how the term is
used.
The renewed debate comes after Mamta Sharma, chairperson of the
National Commission for Women (NCW), said: "If a group of boys
eve-teases you by calling you sexy, you should not get provoked
and instead you should take it positively."
Smriti Irani, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) All
India Mahila Morcha, finds Sharma's statement irresponsible and
derogatory.
"It's extremely unfortunate that a woman of this stature has come
up with such a remark. Being the NCW chairperson, it was her duty
to talk in a responsible manner. With this statement, she has made
a derogatory remark about the entire women's community. It is
absolutely outrageous to get comment like this from any man. It is
objectionable and disrespectful," Irani told IANS.
Irani feels such remarks will add to crimes. Despite several new
initiatives by Delhi Police, the year 2011 saw a significant rise
in the number of rape and molestation cases - 568 rape cases were
reported last year compared to 507 in the previous year.
Sharma later regretted her remark saying, "If the remarks caused
offence to anyone, I apologise and withdraw any mention of it."
Social activist Nafisa Ali agrees with Irani but respects Sharma's
apology.
"I think the word 'sexy' is derogatory for women but if Mamta said
sorry then I don't have any problem. I think she also highlighted
that men should take care of words while talking to women," Ali
told IANS.
Actress and anchor Pooja Bedi says what is important is the manner
in which such words are used.
"Sexy is an adjective and one that denotes physical beauty. I
think the important aspect is not 'what' is said but 'how' it is
said. If the eyes rove lecherously and the facial expression is
sleazy, then it's pure harassment," Bedi said.
"But someone randomly shouting it or stating it in a complimentary
manner is something one can choose to ignore or smile and thank,"
she said.
In the last few years, filmdom has gone bold and brazen when it
comes to the use of slangs. In 1994, a song titled "Sexy, sexy,
sexy mujhe log bole", featuring Karisma Kapoor, had to be changed
to "Baby, baby, baby..." after the word 'sexy' created an uproar.
So is Bollywood responsible for popularising such words?
Item girl Rakhi Sawant, known for making headlines with her bold
statements, said: "Such remarks are perfectly fine as long as they
are not from an unknown guy. In fact, there are many girls who are
offended when a guy doesn't notice them. I don't think there is
anything wrong when someone calls you sexy. After all, you are
sexy!"
Pakistani actress Veena Malik says 'sexy' is a beautiful word.
"When men call a girl or woman 'sexy', I feel it's a compliment
and every girl should believe that she is hot and sexy. They
should not feel bad or offended because it's a beautiful word. I
personally feel great when men compliment me with such words. I
hear these compliments almost every day. It's so common," she
added.
Former Miss India and model Shonal Rawat feels in today's time
"when modern girls work so hard on their bodies, compliments like
'sexy' could be termed as a confidence booster."
"Getting such compliments from acquaintances gives a boost to the
personality and from strangers too, it is fine unless he harms
you."
Perhaps model-actress Sophie Chaudhary hits bull's eye when she
says Indian men should first learn how to compliment a woman.
"I don't think there is anything wrong. But there is a way of
saying everything and that's something, unfortunately, our Indian
men need to learn. There is a way to talk to a girl, complimenting
a girl," the 31-year-old actor told IANS.
"Even if they are saying you are looking sexy, it should not be
sleazy, it should not be tacky. If it's said genuinely and nicely,
then it is definitely a compliment."
(Nivedita Sharma can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)
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