The incident of Shakib al Hassan beating up a spectator for “passing indecent comments” at his wife is not only shameful given his national status, but is actually part of a much bigger conversation.
According to reports, the cricketer beat up a spectator a few weeks ago when he heard that the spectator had allegedly harassed his wife. Shakib wasn’t even present at the scene when this “harassment” took place, but was quick to get there and … well, react.
There are varying accounts. Some reports don’t really specify it as an account of “harassment.” Some others do. There appears to be a web of confusion as to what really happened, what was really said to his wife, and whether or not that would count as “indecent” or “harassment.” Yet, the fact that it was so easy for us to conclude that it was harassment and that the remarks were indecent says something about our society as a whole.
It shows a society where passing indecent remarks at girls/women is so common that it is often the most natural conclusion. Whether or not something is done about it is a whole other matter, but the fact that this consideration is always on our radars as an issue shows our awareness of, and yet a latent complacency with, the whole matter.
What Shakib did is unacceptable on a number of grounds.
He abused both his power in the field as well as his class status to react to a matter which is apparently personal to him, though, as explained above, it speaks volumes about the public sphere we live in.
He took the law in his own hands, which is not expected from people in a civilised society, whether they are a cricket hero or an average Joe. And last but not least, he acted in what is often seen as and/or promoted to be a “heroic” act. This kind of act is often seen as acceptable or even applauded because pop culture and mass media promote the image of the “hero” who shuts up or beats up the guy who is passing lewd remarks at the girl.
But in promoting these images and acting in accordance with them, Shakib further enhanced the very fundamental practices and beliefs of a strong patriarchal system. Beating up the guy who passes the comment is not much different from actually passing the comment. In doing so, Shakib implicitly enhanced a system where this is allowed, where a girl being harassed ought to be “rescued” by “heroic” acts by yet another guy. He encouraged a system where the attackers and saviours both are male, with the female wedged in between, stuck from both ends. And it is this mentality we have to get out of. It is this mentality that needs to be addressed in our society.
This, contrary to what is often believed, is no form of chivalry. Beating someone up is as unacceptable as passing lewd remarks is. If Shakib really was so enraged by what had happened, he should have used his popularity for a positive change in our society. Our rape statistics are appalling, harassment is prevalent everywhere – from the narrow alleyways to the marital bed. So if the incident disturbed Shakib so much, he should come forward to make a statement to the society, to his followers, and beat the system that allows men to harass and/or pass comments at any women passing by.