Men cannot believe that them scratching their balls in public is inappropriate.
Popular internet and women’s rights lawyer Nighat Dad tweeted yesterday about a man sitting next to her on her flight who continuously scratched his privates, to the point that he made her incredibly uncomfortable.
According to her, he scratched about 15 times in 5 minutes. And anticipating that people would ask her to show proof to her claims had she merely tweeted about it, she had the foresight to make a video.
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1071652153750667264
Once Nighat tweeted about her experience, it started a big conversation with a lot of women sharing stories of the same experiences they had.
The same happened to me on a Dubai to KHI flight years ago. Must have been ~18 yo at the time. Complained but the cabin staff refused to move either me or him. Stood in bathroom entire time and cried. This is harassment, no 2 ways about it. Thanks for calling it out, @nighatdad. https://t.co/LNDkvKbxud
— Natasha Japanwala (@NatJapanwala) December 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/shmyla/status/1071722443268677632
I see AT LEAST 3 men on average everyday doing the same. Even boys as young as 15 years. It’s very disturbing and I can’t think of any way to stop it other than looking away – at which point there’s another one doing the same.
— Shaheera (@ShaheeraAnwar) December 9, 2018
The same thing happened to me on a flight to dubai once. The man wouldn't stop touching himself!
Disgusting.
— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) December 9, 2018
And women talked about how uncomfortable the act of men touching themselves in public was for these women.
How is not booked for indeceny is a public space in the land of the pure. Its an airport/plane, minors are present. Kids who should not be seeing this unabashed display of manhood. A bra strap causes a frenzy for many, yet this is all okay apparently.
— Mehreen Khawaja (@MehreenKhawaja) December 9, 2018
Bra is a piece of clothing. There is nothing shameful about a bra-strap! It’s like adjusting your collar. Also I have never see a woman adjust her bra-strap 15 times in 5 min in PUBLIC. EVER! Comparing it to fondling yourself just shows how entitled you are. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!!
— leena #FreePalestine🇵🇸 (@Leena_Ghani) December 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/scratching_head/status/1071714990363721728
But then came the ‘ghairat’ squad
And they were not outraged about the fact that a man was so openly scratching his balls in public, but about the fact that Nighat had the nerve to actually record him and ‘invade’ his privacy.
Shame on you and your thinking. This is how the elite class of the country think about the poors of this country. Seems a poor labourer returning home . You should have taken him to dermatologist for the treatment of the fungus. You did this to gain cheap popularity .
— Ali Khan.. (@sadaat55) December 9, 2018
Didn’t you breach his privacy ? Why were you googling him when hm was he doing disgusting thing ? Why didn’t you stop staring and shooting his video? He might have some disease or itching ?Balls ain’t part of somebody’s body? Why don’t you take it as body part and humiliated him
— UroojSayyami (@Uroojsayyami) December 10, 2018
he doesnt even know u are making video. he wasnt even looking at u. a poor labour arrested just because u think he did it because u were sitting next to him, tharaki will scan 1st from head to toe..
— Rokra (@Rokra_R) December 9, 2018
It’s important to remember that Nighat did not capture his face in the video and hence his identity was protected. She merely caught the act on camera to show people how this is an issue. The story and video aren’t even about one particular man but a general problem; men scratching their privates in public spaces is a big issue. And her tweets started a conversation that is much needed.
It is also interesting to note that she already clarified that she captured the video because people ask for proof every time someone shares concerns about harassment but upon being given proof she was continued to be vilified.
Some people were unconvinced and tried to justify his actions by pointing out that he might have had an infection which lead him to scratch his balls in public so much.
https://twitter.com/SpartacusAsli/status/1071684504324960256
Oh dear… I wish I hadn't looked at that video. Poor guy looks as though he may have an infection 😣
— Riya (@Tweets_By_Riya) December 9, 2018
While people online might have believed it was no big deal, it comes as a pleasant surprise that PIA and the FIA appeared to think that it was indeed a big issue.
Upon the plane’s landing, officials were on standby to take action against the man. And to those who are pissed off at Nighat, let’s remember that Nighat is a pretty brilliant lawyer and she probably knows her stuff. She even cited the law which the man was violating by scratching his balls in public.
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1071652326845399040
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1071675931230683136
This entire incident and the following debate reminds me of the conversation where men defended those who masturbate in public using the ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ argument.
Using a chant which feminists have used as a war cry against men who harass or rape women to justify men fondling themselves in public is just plain wrong. There is a fine line between ownership of your own body and using your body in a public space to make others uncomfortable.
I for one think Nighat was completely in the right, she pointed out a behavior which is not only inappropriate but makes women uncomfortable. However, we are expected to accept this behavior and not say a word because male entitlement in public spaces dictates that men can do whatever they please in public and women just have to deal with their behavior.
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1071824204213956609
Nonetheless, I am glad this conversation was started and provided an instance of introspection for those who believe these actions are harmless and a right for men.
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Cover Image Source: @nighatdad/@sadaat55 via Twitter.com