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രഞ്ജിനി ഹരിദാസ് കൊച്ചിയിലെ ഒരു ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ മാഗസിനു നല്കിയ കത്ത്

Published on 26 May, 2013
രഞ്ജിനി ഹരിദാസ് കൊച്ചിയിലെ ഒരു ഓണ്‍ലൈന്‍ മാഗസിനു നല്കിയ കത്ത്

A lot has been said about the recent “Ranjini Haridas airport incident” in the past ten days and the extreme comments and reactions it has garnered on various social networking sites are, to be honest, quite a read. I for one find the whole thing extremely funny.

I learnt through first hand experience that nobody really cares for what the truth of the matter actually is. I mean, come on, how many of these so-called reporters, bloggers, site users have actually taken the trouble of calling up the police and finding out what the heck happened? I know I haven’t received any calls from any online magazines or online newspapers to get my side. So how is this then fair reporting? Every story has more than one side to it. In this particular case Mr Binoy’s, the now unsung hero to many so called Ranjini haters (a growing club by the looks of it :) and of course, mine. Obviously, since I did not put out the version out there it is clear that my story would be quite different. So for anyone who has the time of day to spare a couple of minutes and base your decision and comments on a fair hearing of both sides, this is what actually happened, my version. I arrived with my team members from San Francisco via Dubai to Kochi on Thursday, the 16th of May landing at 0335.

As I was a business class passenger, as soon as I landed I went towards the business class queue for immigration. Unfortunately, there was no staff present at that counter and hence I joined one of the other queues that was present. It was peak incoming traffic at the airport around close to a thousand people were present on and off. Once I was done with the immigration clearance, I joined the hand baggage clearance queue where all the people from every counter had to come into a single line and hence the queue was very long winding and confusing to the point we struggled to find the end of it.

While I was in queue, I had another actress who was on the same flight from Dubai, Asha Sharath with me, we were talking to each other when the rest of my team members namely Suraj Venjaramood, Muktha, Arun Gopan etc., cut inline in front of Asha Sharath and I. When they cut inline in front of me, I told my team members jokingly, “that’s not fair, don’t cut inline in front of us, if you want, you can stand behind us” and moved back up to the original place we were at. Once the queue moved forward a little bit I got really tired of standing as I have a back problem and told Asha Sharath and the rest of my team that I am going to stand right here in the middle and when you come from my left side to my right side in the queue I will join behind you again.

Now, the incident that made me file the case against Mr Binoy. As I was standing there, I heard a passenger from behind call out to me and say, “Don’t think we didn’t see you cut the line,” to which I replied, “I didn’t cut the line”. The same passenger along with a few others started repeating the accusation to which my reply was “I didn’t cut the line, the people who came with me cut the line if you have a problem, talk to them”. All the other passengers behaved all right but Mr Binoy and his wife continued their accusation of the same raising their voice to which I raised my voice and denied the whole thing. The next thing I know Mr Binoy starts hurling abuses at me in the following manner- Ninte line cut cheyyalokke njangalkariyaam…ninde ilakkom chattom okke tv yil ninde mathonmardaduthu mathi…nee anuungale kandittilla…nee aaranna ninde vichaarom..ninde thandedaduthu poyi paranjaal mathi and to the point he even called me a thevidishi.

I kept arguing back trying to tell them I hadn’t done anything wrong but by the time Mr Binoy had gone on an attack spree aiming at my profession, family and character, which was uncalled for. By this time the immigration officers got involved and told me to immediately file a complaint against the passenger for abusing me. Following that I filed an official written complain with the airport terminal manager, who contacted the local police who came to the scene. I was asked whether I would settle for an apology and when I said no they took down my statement and a case was registered against Mr Binoy. I then went back home and slept.

When I woke up around 5pm I was inundated with calls from a couple of media channels and newspapers asking me about the incident. I was then informed that another version of the incident had gone viral and through television channels and the following day newspapers. Mr Binoy’s version of this incident, which accuses me of abusing him and his wife, calling them names with no reference to any of his doings. I was later informed that a counter case was filed against me citing the same reasons. Now, anyone who reads this can think that this is something I cooked up in my head to escape the situation but if you guys give the local Nedumbassery police station officials a call, you will realize the truth. You could also clarify this with the several artistes who were present there and even the airport officials who were on duty there that morning.

As for some reports that say that I used influence and tried to behave like a celebrity. Guys, I’m a woman first. Celebrity or not, no individual has the right to call me names and abuse me or anyone else the way Mr Binoy did. Not to forget his choice of words were so hardcore that I was surprised he didn’t care that his two little kids were present there along with loads of other travelling passengers including women and kids. What kind of example are people like him setting for the coming generations?

That you can say anything to anyone and get away with it? I’m sorry, I’m not one of those people who is just going to shut up, ignore it and walkaway. So yeah, I reacted. I should’ve given him a tight slap across his face which is less than what he deserved but I didn’t. I took the legal route. It’s really amusing to me that the very person who some are calling a hero for teaching me a so called lesson are the type of elements in a society that keep us backward. By us, I mean women, some people think they can say anything to a woman and get away with it. Sorry, not happening and definitely not with me! As for all the fools who reacted to the news without clarifying the facts, I feel only sorry for you.

Sorry that people like you exist, sorry that we still, at large, are a society that at every opportunity given, likes to mentally, morally and emotionally pull someone down. Especially be it a strong independent woman who speaks her mind. Kaala pettu ennu kettu kazhar eduthodunna oru samooham! Such is the reality of the world we live in, funny, isnt it? As for the case, if anyone is interested, is still under enquiry and there is no way I will settle out of court or anywhere else as some reports say. The whole experience has only made me stronger and firmer in my convictions and beliefs and there is no way any of this is going to affect or change the person I am.

Purely because I know that the truth is on my side, if I was wrong, I would be the first one to apologize and back off but if you make a mockery of what actually happened and turn it and twist it into an online thamaasha, I’m not going to keep quiet about it. I will react and will continue to do so till justice is done. Before I wind up just a question that I have been meaning to ask.

Is this really one of the most discussed topics online nowadays? I mean, come on! Don’t people have anything better to do than discuss a small incident in the life of Ranjini Haridas? Now the important question is, who blew it all out of proportion? And why? The answer to that my friends, will open several doors of realisation The existence of chauvinistic egoistic male counterparts with huge inferiority complexes will come into light. Men who can only react within the frames of anonymity, men who celebrate the oppression of women, men who can’t stand the sight of a successful, self thinking, hardworking woman of today. This is not about Ranjini Haridas. It never really was. I’m just a mere representative of all women like me out there. And we say, bring it on!

 

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ramapuram 2013-05-26 09:08:03
Not at all,can not agree and accept this article. Totally twisting story and intensifying the situation by telling about women right and abuses against women. It's very clear the she cut the line. Come on!Change your attitude and try do not repeat the same by any.When it come to a public place, rule is rule. (of course nothing following in Kerala). There is no TV anchor,actor or actress.
josecheripuram 2013-05-26 13:04:08
I am not trying to justify my nephew Benoy .The vedios don't lie if he was at fault do you think they would let him go.
Tom Mathews 2013-05-27 03:57:12
Dear Ranjini: It is only fair to listen to the recipient of accusation (meaning you) . Even though beautifully written, your statement lacks credibility as you claim you left the line because of your "bad back" and "stood" again out of line. What puzzles me is that your action of "standing" out of line did not improve your "bad back", if you were standing and not sitting. Please make sense or have your attorney give out a response. Thanks. Tom Mathews, New Jersey
Tom Abraham 2013-05-27 06:06:38
I am glad Renjini as a Professional has come out with a statement. Others who broke the line  also must explain what happened. To me, Renjini quotes in Malayalam are credible. Calling her names and attacking her verbally was unfair. All that Binoy must do ' just report to the authorities ' if he had a complaint. Not take law into his arms. Above all, I appreciate this emalayalee forum in the discussion initiated since the event. Renjini, keep it up and fight for your rights, your reputation. Let us  see if the Binoy group will admit the truth of the matter. Thanks
susanth 2013-05-27 07:01:11
നനക്കെടനിവൽ കേരളത്തിന്റെ അതൊകൊണ്ട് നല്ല തല്ലു തന്നെ കൊടുക്കണം ആരുന്നു
 അല്ലെങ്ങിൽ അറ്റ്ലീസ്റ്റ് തോഴി 
Tom Abraham 2013-05-27 08:25:13
If there was an airport video surveillance record, let it be public document. No final decision is possible with strict proof to acquit or convict anyone now. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Tom Abraham 2013-05-27 11:51:12
In a public airport area, there should be some video surveillance, and a copy of it must show the scene of any altercation. Until such a strict proof material accuracy is before us, no jury can give a fair verdict. Airport management must cooperate to release it, if any. Rejini is right, Bijoy is right.
There is an allegation, and a valid defense. Will we ever get the video ? 
Abrahamji45@gmail.com. No secret
Biju Cherian 2013-05-27 19:12:31
From Ranjini's statement itself it is clear that she cut the line, the issue here now is the language used in arguments. Both was in high temper and used some bad words. They both should apologzed for this. RRanjini should know one thing, even if you travelled in business class and there was onle one line for immigration, first come should served first. You should complaint first to the authority for separate immigration line for business class passengers or better be quiet. People involve in this issue for one thing...majority of them dont like you means they dont like you abusing the great malayalam language.Think twice before you act in public. Good luck sister.
bijuny 2013-05-27 20:43:09
Well said Renjini.
I'm not a fan of yours. I never watched your program on TV. ever since this issue started, I've been following this story. This issie is not about line cutting or American Malayali. You have summed it up when you said:

The existence of chauvinistic egoistic male counterparts with huge inferiority complexes will come into light. Men who can only react within the frames of anonymity, men who celebrate the oppression of women, men who can’t stand the sight of a successful, self thinking, hardworking woman of today.

Anthappan 2013-05-28 04:03:33
"men who can’t stand the sight of a successful, self thinking, hardworking woman of today." - This is a nonsense statement.   There are millions of successful men and women living together as husband and wife by respecting each other. Don't try to  twist the failures in your life around and dump on all men. Both men and women need to respect each other and respect the law. Especially, those who are in public life need to set good example for others. And, I think you failed in it.
josecheripuram 2013-05-28 06:57:23
I think all these problems are the result of poor managment on the part air port authorities.Rengini says that was the peak time when 3or4 flights arrived and there was more than thousand travellers and only one counter was poened.Peole travelling for 18 hours with kids a tired and irritable.Rengini says she had bussiness calass but there was no one in that counter,so she had to join the long line.She should have complained to airport authorities instead cutting the line.When there is heavy volium of traffic more counters should be poened.When airport authorities going to do their duty such issues could be eliminated.
jsam 2013-05-28 08:28:42
I feel sorry for you. Now you are trying to prove yourself and claim  justice. Why couldn't you use few words to prove yourself by saying that my spot is behind, and I will join my group. Instead, so many unnecessary arguments you made.We women must know how to communicate in an intelligent, truthful way. You lacked that wisdom, and now you are bringing the back ache and other stories. will the tiredness and back ache will go away if you change the place?You cold easily avoided the incident by a gentle, truthful answer. Please learn from mistake!
PT KURIAN 2013-05-28 09:28:33

DEAR MS HARIDAS, 

WE AMERICAN MALAYALEES DON'T WANT TO DESTROY YOUR CAREER.  WE ALWAYS WANT TO EXTEND HELP

TO ALL MALAYALEE ARTISTS.,  BUT YOU GOT TO ACCEPT YOUR FAILURE  AT THE AIRPORT INCIDENT, DON'T

TRY TO JUSTIF YOUR SIDE, LEARN  A LESSON, AND BE POSITIVE.
മലയാളത്തില്‍ ടൈപ്പ് ചെയ്യാന്‍ ഇവിടെ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്യുക