This year’s HUM TV Awards were full of controversies and upsetting moments. While the Pakistani world of entertainment gathered under one roof to celebrate the talent and brilliance of their co-workers, there were some awful remarks that couldn’t have been ignored.
Starting with the appalling ‘jokes’ made by two “comedians”, Yasir Hussain and Ahmed Ali Butt couldn’t control the “slip off their tongues” and made jokes which were not only ghastly but also showed how the elite class society of Pakistan requires tons of education.
Casually joking about Ahsan Khan’s role as a pedophile in drama serial Udaari, what these two comedians said discarded the entire purpose of creating awareness on a subject as sensitive as child molestation.
The host. Yasir Hussain comments on Ahsan’s win with this startling comment.
“Itna khobsurat child molester, kash main bhi bacha hota” 20/n
— Saad ???? (@oatmealdoughnut) April 30, 2017
But these comedians felt it was “funny” to joke about it.
Ahmed Ali Butt made equally inappropriate comments btw. “mein tou toffiyaan kha bhi loonga”, referring to how Ahsan’s character lured zebo.
— Faizan. (@merabichrayaar) April 30, 2017
Additional to all these comments made by the hosts, it was brought to attention that one of Pakistan’s well-reputed actors Naumaan Ijaz also made a “derogatory comment”. However, anyone who has seen his recent drama Sang-e-Marmar knew what the actor was actually talking about.
The actor took the moment and spoke one of his dialogues on stage:
“Aurat aur ghori ager ek awaaz per na aayein, tau samjho masla aurat mein nahi, mard ki mardaangi mein hai. Mein yahaan maujood har aadmi se yeh baat kehna chahta houn ke ye baat deyhaan sey sunein, aur humesha yaad rakhein, ke ager aap ki aurat ya aap ki ghori ek hi awaaz per nahi aatein, tau woh ghalti aap ki hai. Aap ka roeb kam hai, ya aap mein itni taaqat hi nahi.”
Taking it out of context, the publications highlighted how the actor said these lines in a demeaning manner. It was misquoted and regarded as if the actor made comments on how women should actually be treated.
While drama fanatics knew this was a dialogue, the prestigious actor felt the need to clarify himself by making the following post:
“This dialogue is from my drama “Sang e marmar” jo me nay hum awards me repeat kiye just waha baithi audience ko hansanay k liye. mera maqsad auraatzaad ko neecha dikhana hergiz nahi tha . hamara mulk hamari awam jis mental stress say guzar rahi hai just unko fresh karnay k liye yeh dialogue repeat kiya tha aur in return mujhay yeh sab parhnay ko mil raha hai.. very sad.. In the last just want to say ” khudara, khudara logon me pyar taqseem karain na k nafratain”
Thanks.. Naumaan Ijaz”
Naumaan Ijaz has worked in a number of dramas that highlighted oppression of women. With the likes of Mera Saaein and Sang e Marmar, Pakistanis are aware of his works and how he has actively spoken against mistreatment of women. It is wrongful for publications to misquote him the way they did. Additionally, it is essential to understand the situation in a larger context as well.
