Popular writer and controversial figure Khalilur Rehman Qamar, cursed a woman on live television yesterday on a local TV channel, with no remorse.
The topic of discussion was none other than Aurat March, which is right around the corner and Qamar expressed his disdain towards the kind of slogans that are raised during the yearly protest.
In response to a question by the host, Qamar started off by saying, "When the court has denied the usage of slogans like 'Mera jism, meri marzi' (My body, my choice), then it hurts me deeply when figures like Marvi Sirmed use these slogans."
As soon as he said this, Sirmed interrupted his response by reiterating the same slogan over and over again. This left Qamar baffled and he started yelling at her in a demeaning manner.
"Tere jism men hai kya? (What is in your body) Don't talk in between. Thookta nahi hai koi tere jism pe (No one would even spit on your body). Shut up you b****. Beech men nahi bolo (Don't talk in between)," he said.
The host, a woman herself, chimed in asking Sirmed to stay quiet, without calling out Qamar for his vulgar use of language.
The incident, of course, has ignited a fierce debate on social media, with a number of people supporting Qamar's blatant disrespect, while a number of women are rallying to get him banned from TV.
If such piece of crap was a playwright in a civilized media industry, he would have been boycotted and would be reduced to ashes. But this is our beloved Islamic Republic. The misogynist abuser won't have to face any consequences. He'd be welcomed by every media house. https://t.co/2AVOe15keR
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) March 3, 2020
This is the man who preaches morality and mannerism to women participating #AuratMarch. Just see the true face of anti #AuratMarch crowd. https://t.co/Ign5vl2wrw
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) March 3, 2020
@marvisirmed Please accept my sincere apology on the incident which happened today on our screen. Being Head of NEO NEWS I am extremely sorry for that and strict action will be taken. We condemn the behaviour of Khalil Qamar.
— Nasrullah Malik (@NasrullahMalik1) March 3, 2020
Nasrullah Malik
Executive Director
NEO NEWS
The president of the channel has issued an apology to Sirmed while Senator Sherry Rehman has asked for the writer to be boycotted.
I will not accept any show on @NeoTv_Network until this anchor apologises and this abusive man boycotted. If others ( men and women ) do the same when asked for shows this kind of disrespect to women may not get impunity. Women’s rights are human rights. Enough of this nonsense https://t.co/YAJlmawCXF
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 4, 2020
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) March 4, 2020
The underlying question remains as to why he was even invited on a discussion about Aurat March. However, his fans are lauding his behavior while showbiz personalities and Twitter users lash out on him.
Popular celebrity Mahira Khan was the first to speak out against him. "I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!" wrote Mahira.
"Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on TV is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking!"
I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on tv is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking! #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 4, 2020
She further added, "I personally think it’s imperative that those that stand with the idea of standing up for your rights should write and speak with clarity. A lot gets lost when we try to match jahaalat with jahaalat, abuse with abuse. There MUST be a difference."
I personally think it’s imperative that those that stand with the idea of standing up for your rights should write and speak with clarity. A lot gets lost when we try to match jahaaalat with jahaalat, abuse with abuse. There MUST be a difference.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 4, 2020
Several others followed suit - even Aamir Liaquat.
آپ کو نہیں پسند
— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) March 4, 2020
ٹھیک ہے
نظریے سے اختلاف ہے ، مناسب !
مگر یہ طرزتکلم تواس مخبر خاتون کے ساتھ مولا علی کا بھی نہیں تھا جس نے جنگ میں مخبری کا کام سر انجام دیا
خلیل الرحمن قمر! تم نے مَردوں کے سر شرم سے جھکادیے اور تکبر سے معاشرے کو تقسیم کردیا@marvisirmed #khalilurrehmanqamar pic.twitter.com/Jx4yf10Wow
I hv not seen such a JAAHIL insan like #khalilurrehmanqamar who the hell he think he is ? News channel invite him, so that he ends up uttering some nonsense and they can fetch some TRPs ! shame on tv channels & Khalil ! Disgraceful
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) March 3, 2020
Shame on those who are calling him Sher ka bacha etc - I saw some tweets - you need to know that if you speak to women like this ... no matter what .... you can only be K***** ka bacha !!!! this is not acceptable at all ... you call yourself a writer #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) March 3, 2020
Shame on those who are calling him Sher ka bacha etc - I saw some tweets - you need to know that if you speak to women like this ... no matter what .... you can only be K***** ka bacha !!!! this is not acceptable at all ... you call yourself a writer #khalilurrehmanqamar
— Nabeel Qureshi (@nabeelqureshi) March 3, 2020
Don't understand the problem so many are having with #MeraJismMeriMarzi"-Mera jism meri marzi nahi toh kis ki marzi ho gi?? "My body is mine" is a critical component of the Life Skills Based Education classes we teach to help children protect themselves from abuse & harassment
— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) March 4, 2020
The way this so called ‘writer’ shouts at @marvisirmed clearly manifests what he promotes through drama—patriarchy and bigotry. One feels shame that this person is supposedly representing ‘men’. This person must be banned on TV. https://t.co/u4zNveVST0
— Khadim Hussain (@Khadimhussain4) March 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/KhoosatSarmad/status/1235112910591942656
Majority of Qamar's fans, however, are defending him by posting his picture with the caption, 'Meri zaban, meri marzi' (My tongue, my choice).
Well done sir khalil.
— Waqar Ali Khan (@NatureDevotee1) March 4, 2020
He reminded M Sarmad her real worth.
She truly deserved for sch a troll.
He responded her n th lnguag what she normally uses.
She propagates her heinous vision for a purpose on the directions of BBhutto to distort the minds of our youth#khalilurrehmanqamar pic.twitter.com/fMz6iG9DXk
Some are even using 'The Real Aurat March' posters to aid his cause.
That's what he's trying to say which that liberal aunty distracted through her bloody nonsense of Mera jism meri marzi... Aesi pagal aurton ko pagal khaane mai admit krna chahiye..#khalilurrehmanqamar pic.twitter.com/jbvhpj7Uyt
— ADEEL GHOURI (@IamAdeelGhouri) March 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/JN_Qureshi/status/1235023343209734144
https://twitter.com/KAshraf92/status/1235078955020857345
https://twitter.com/KAshraf92/status/1235078955020857345
An online petition has also been circulating, requesting the boycott of the infamous writer.
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