Singer Sona Mohapatra expressed her disappointment with singer Jonita Gandhi who shared her happiness while sharing her music award with singer Kailash Kher, who is accused of sexual harassment, at the 18th ITA Awards 2018 in Mumbai.
"Congratulations Jonita. While winning an award is gr8, it is also very important to keep in touch with the environment as an artist. I do hope you are aware that more than 9 women came out in the public sharing their #MeToo stories about this man (Kailash Kher). Mine was the least tragic," Sona Mohapatra replied to Jonita Gandhi's tweet.
Meanwhile Sona Mohapatra, who had accused Kailash Kher of inappropriate behaviour, has demanded the "Teri deewani" singer's withdrawal from Delhi governments Mayur Utsav.
Sona has started a change.org petition #WhyKailashKher, to garner support.
"I am shocked to learn that Kailash Kher has been asked to headline a performance at the Delhi Government's Mayur Utsav that begins today," she has penned in the petition.
Sona has urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to cancel Kailash's participation, thereby extending support to the #MeToo movement.
She tweeted: "Wah, Arvind Kejriwal, how proudly you lend your government's name to a show featuring a molester. Kailash Kher has multiple allegations of misconduct and harassment against him and you've got him performing even after government employees protested this."
In another tweet, she wrote: "Dear Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal, multiple women including minors have come out in the public with their #MeToo stories against this predator Kailash Kher and you choose to rub this kind of insult to injury? Do you care so little for 50 per cent of your population?"
Kailash is looking forward to his performance on Sunday at the fest, organised by Sahitya Kala Parishad, the cultural wing of the Delhi government.
In an email interview to IANS, he has said it would be nostalgic and emotional for him to sing for his people on his "homeground" of Delhi's Mayur Vihar, which he calls the land of his elders.
(With IANS Inputs)
