Several nominees for the 18th Lux Style Awards (LSAs) have boycotted the event on the grounds that a person accused of sexual harassment has been nominated.
On Wednesday, film director Jami — who has previously won an LSA for his film Moor — threw his trophy out on the road in protest. Before that, models Eman Suleman and Rubab Ali, make up artists Fatima Nasir and Saima Bargfrede, music band The Sketches, clothing brand Generation and singer Meesha Shafi withdrew their nominations. There’s also been strong backlash on social media.
However, a few celebrities have come out in support of LSAs and some have even condemned those boycotting the event.
“People have the right to protest and even request not to be nominated if they please to do so, but to degrade an award and to treat it like a piece of garbage is truly sad and uncivilized. This means you have no regard for the art and your fellow peers who gave you the title. There are better ways to protest and let your voice be heard and the matter is already in court will be dealt by the law,” Ahmad Ali Butt posted on Instagram.
Later, actress Iman Ali also shared her disapproval about people playing the role of ‘judge, jury and executioner’.
Frieha Altaf, who has had a long association with Lux Style Awards as show director, also addressed the controversy in a post saying that last year’s LSA included a segment to applaud the #MeToo movement and if she is chosen to be show director, the forthcoming event will uphold the same values.
“The #MeinBhi movement is not a one-off. The struggle to ensure a safer workplace will be a lifetime effort. My #LSA turf is the LSA show and the stage — not the nominations that are done by independent juries. No one has a say in what the jury decides,” she wrote.
Read:Â Sufi rock band The Sketches withdraws 4 music nominations from LSA
“But I can state very clearly that if I do #LSA2019 it will reflect all the values I uphold. I had every intention of including the song #Mein in the showflow and was in discussion with @MeeshaShafi before she was EVEN nominated and then stepped out. Even today the entire show flow will reflect and uphold all #meinbhi values. In my opinion, if anybody should step down it’s the alleged sexual harasser, not those who are innocent and oppose him. The LSA platform and event is very close to my heart and I will continue to fight, on my turf, for women’s rights and empowerment,” she added.
Designer Munib Nawaz has also voiced his concern:
This is developing story and will be updated with time.
