Female Tiktoker Harassed in Lahore: A big mob of men allegedly assaulted and harassed a female tiktoker in Lahore. This incident took place on Independence Day, 14th of August 2021, at Minar-e-Pakistan.
The Incident
The female tiktoker went to Greater Iqbal Park with friends to celebrate Independence day. There she began making videos near Minar-e-Pakistan when the mob attacked. Hundreds of men surrounded the poor girl and harassed her. They allegedly groped her and threw her in the air. Furthermore, they reportedly tore her clothes and assaulted her. The victim was carrying money worth 15000 and wearing jewelry which was also snatched.
Such a horrific incident took place on a national day celebration near a national monument. Who knew that a day of celebration would turn into a day of horror for some? There was little consideration for the sanctity of the place, #MInar-e-Pakistan, and the sanctity of the month of Muharram.
Meanwhile, much to the netizens’ dismay, a disturbing video has gone viral containing footage of the unruly crowd manhandling the woman. The video clearly shows a mob of excited men groping a woman and wildly snatching at her clothes. People have expressed extreme resentment of this incident on social media.
I can’t believe what I just saw!!! I’ve said it before and I will say it again – make an example out of these men!
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 17, 2021
#MinarePakistan
Female Tiktoker’s Report
Meanwhile, according to reports, the police have filed a case against hundreds of unidentified individuals for assaulting the female tiktoker in the park. Further, they plan to take ‘immediate legal action…against them’. The victim reports that some 300 to 400 men ‘assaulted’ her. She tried to escape with her friends but failed. People started ‘pushing and pulling’ with so much aggression that they tore the victim’s dress. The victim also reported that the animalistic crowd ‘forcibly’ took her rings and earrings and other property including money from her friends. In the process, many people tried to save her but they were no help as a huge crowd was ready to throw her in the air. It seems, the vivacious mob was overcome with excitement because she was a tiktoker and a ‘famous’ celebrity.
National Outrage
Consequently, all over Pakistan, celebrities and politicians alike have expressed extreme outrage at the incident. Further, influential personalities and public figures have renewed calls for protection of women in the country.
For example, PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari has reported that PM Imran Khan urged the criminals to be caught immediately.
PM @ImranKhanPTI personally spoke to IGPunjab, police is catching all culprits involved in manhandling of female tiktoker in Lahore & those damaging statue of Ranjit Singh at LahoreFort.
— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) August 18, 2021
These are gross violations of laws & social norms, govt won’t spare a single person involved.
Also, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep resentment at the ‘anti-women incidents’.
Deeply disturbed at the harassment of a young woman & her companions by hundreds of people at Greater Iqbal Park in Lahore. What is more worrying is the direction our society is headed in. The recent anti-women incidents are a reminder that malaise is deep-rooted. Very Shameful!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 18, 2021
PML-N Vice President, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has also called for ‘collective introspection’ in order to make ‘public spaces safe for women’.
Heart-wrenching scenes at Minar-e-Pakistan warrant collective introspection. We as parents, teachers & leaders need to reflect upon the upbringing of our youngsters to make public spaces safe for women. Those involved must be dragged to justice to create deterrence for future.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 18, 2021
Conclusion
Thus, it turns out to be a a deeply upsetting day for people fighting for women’s protection and their rights against harassment and abuse. It is indeed sad to know that such incidents are reported in Pakistan, a country that celebrates equal rights for women and respect of their freedom. Apparently, the deep-rooted malaise in the hearts of Pakistani men is something to worry about for the future of the women of our country.
