Lux Style Awards have always been the most esteemed awards in terms of style, fashion and performing arts. However this year this prestigious award has been a butt of controversies and from the course of events one can see that there is no looking back on it.
#MeToo campaign has taken the world by storm in the past few years. Starting as a twitter trend, this movement gave voice to many women across the globe who used this hashtag as a protest against the harassment they had to face at the hands of men for gender inequality. It was ironic that even the most successful and celebrated women in the world had been the survivors of this evil.
Last year one of the most prominent singers of Pakistan Meesha Shafi also came up with harassment allegations against her co-star Ali Zafar who is also a huge figure in Pakistan. Every time a woman speaks up against sexual harassment a woman has to go through a series of further harassment because it is uncustomary for women in desi societies to raise a word but stay silent. Meesha Shafi also had to go through a series of online bullying and harassment. Since Ali Zafar had a stronger position in the industry most of the people sided with him. We could still see him partying and hanging out with the whos and whos of showbiz and social circles. The issue is still in courts.
Everyone anticipates Lux Style Awards every year. In a country where the entertainment industry is limited such events are a breath of fresh air. The ceremony itself is a visual treat and is remembered for long.
Like all awards, Lux Style Awards have also always been surrounded with small controversies. There have been credibility issues here and there. This year it has taken another turn. As a protest against nominating the alleged harasser Ali Zafar for his film ‘Teefa in Trouble,’ some celebrities have decided to boycott the Lux Style Awards.
It started with the model Eman Suleman.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvo6Ah6F1E3/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1v5844c46mqar
Meesha Shafi also decided to step back for her song ‘Mein’ nominated in the category of best song.
To all concerned. #LSA2019 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/nfoHUlTf4W
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 23, 2019
Director Jami who won an award for his film ‘Moor’ went for a stronger statement by throwing off the award outside his home in Karachi.
Lux Award for Best film Moor is now on the road outside my gate. We believe and stand by our Women stories! @Unilever @LeenaNairHR pic.twitter.com/lUwJUmaXq0
— jami-ازار (@jamiazaad) April 24, 2019
Sufi band The Sketches withdrew their four nominations from Lux Style Awards.
https://twitter.com/SaifSamejo/status/1120951840600883201
Fatima Nasir (the makeup artist) and Rubab Ali( the model) also chose to stand against Lux Style Awards.
https://twitter.com/eman_anjum/status/1120944632379203585
Wow!! The 7th #LSA2019 nominee to withdraw. Good on you, guys. More power! https://t.co/NrawImCd23
— Sheharyar Rizwan (@sheharyarizwan) April 24, 2019
A lot more to follow…
Generation, #SaimaBargfrede and #MeeshaShafi withdraw from the #LSA race
Read more: https://t.co/mh10Z0JAOL#TheNews https://t.co/rV5y0ODul3
— The News (@thenews_intl) April 24, 2019
Since these brave artists have created enough stir in the cup, Lux Style Awards also came up with a clarification which is probably not enough and is being criticized even more. A statement that resulted in more bad than good perhaps
https://twitter.com/eman_anjum/status/1121140847196692486
It is about time people across the world realize that #timesup . There is a new awakening both in men and women of today. Normalizing casual sexism, bigotry, and harassment while expecting the women to stay shut ain’t happening anymore.
Boycotting the Lux Style Awards is just a beginning. More power to the bravery and courage of those who stood up for the truth and justice.
She is one of the best make artist ever but why she has withdrawn from LSA?
She withdrew her nomination as a protest against Ali Zafar’s.