Numerous nominees for the 18th Lux Style Awards have withdrawn their nominations on the grounds that a person accused of sexual harassment has also been nominated.
The backlash began when model Eman Suleman posted a video on Instagram saying she was honored but “didn’t wish to be part of an accolade that shared with an alleged harasser”.
Following in her footsteps, model Rubab Ali, make up artists Fatima Nasir and Saima Bargfrede, music band The Sketches, clothing brand Generation and singer Meesha Shafi also withdrew their nominations. There’s been intense criticism on social media as well which is perhaps one of the reasons prompting the LSA Film Jury to address the matter.
“In 2019, the Lux Style Awards have been surrounded by dialog around nominees involved in a matter of alleged sexual harassment. The LSA Film jury joins the Lux Brand and Unilever Pakistan in condemning all acts of intolerance, discrimination or harassment,” the jury said in a statement adding, “However, it is also important to emphasize that the decisions of the Film Jury were based on an assessment of the merits of the cinematic work. We do not consider any other extraneous issues related to the personal characters or actions of people associated with that work.”
The Film Jury also said while it recognises the intensity of public sentiment, “it is also important to respect that the case is being decided by Pakistan’s judicial system” and that it has “complete faith in the law of the land and believe that justice will prevail.”
