Ex Bigg Boss contestant Zulfi Syed accused of sexual misconduct by a female journalist

With the #MeToo movement taking over India, many horrific stories of alleged sexual misconducts are being shared opening a floodgate of sorts. #TimesUp finally for all the sexual predators, irrespective of their gender or industry. After Vikas Bahl, Kailash Kher, Bigg Boss 2 contestant Zulfi Syed has now been accused of sexual misconduct by a female journalist on the social media. She narrated an episode with Zulfi who tried to force himself on the woman. Her account is sure to leave you numbed. 

She wrote, "The near sexual assault episode with Zulfi Syed occurred on a cruise liner. A bunch of press photographers, journalists, models and people were invited on board overnight as a PR exercise. I was there with a woman colleague to shoot the entire event. In due course of the evening, we got talking with the models amongst whom Zulfi and me sort of hit it off. My colleague and I formed a group along with Zulfi and a couple of other models and we moved about the cruise ship sampling the bars, cabaret club and diners.At some point while looking at the rooms the models had been given to stay in, I ended up leaving my phone to charge in Zulfi's room. After dinner and some dancing, my colleague was sleepy and left. So did the other models and I was alone with Zulfi on the ship deck. He kissed me, I kissed him back, I decided I didn't want to take this any further and said so, and that I was going to bed. I remembered I'd left my phone charging in his room so I asked him if I could collect it. He agreed and we walked down the ship to his room."

(5)#MeToo
The near sexual assault episode with Zulfi Syed occurred on a cruise liner. A bunch of press photographers, journalists, models and people were invited on board overnight as a PR exercise. I was there with a woman colleague to shoot the entire event.

(6)#MeToo
In due course of the evening, we got talking with the models amongst whom Zulfi and me sort of hit it off. My colleague and I formed a group along with Zulfi and a couple of other models and we moved about the cruise ship sampling the bars, cabaret club and diners.

(9)#MeToo
I entered the room and took my phone, it was by the bed. Zulfi shut the door & leaned against it. I asked him why he'd shut the door, he said we both knew I wasn't going anywhere and that I hadn't really come to his room for the phone. I said I'd only come for my phone

(10)#MeToo
I walked up to the door to leave. He was standing right there, he grabbed me as soon as I reached for the handle, shoving me against the door and forcibly kissing me. I struggled and said I didn't want this but he wouldn't stop. I realised I was extremely vulnerable.

(11)#MeToo
There was nobody outside in corridor, no one would hear me scream, he was physically overpowering me & wouldn't stop and I did not want to become a victim of sexual assault. I had to strategise to get away so I stopped fighting him off. Instead, I made myself hold him.

(12)#MeToo
I said hey okay, why don't we do this properly on the bed. He backed off smiling. As soon as there was a window of a gap in his hold on me I wrenched the door open and ran down the empty corridor with my heart racing, feeling any second I would be dragged back by him.

"I entered the room and took my phone, it was by the bed. Zulfi shut the door & leaned against it. I asked him why he'd shut the door, he said we both knew I wasn't going anywhere and that I hadn't really come to his room for the phone. I said I'd only come for my phone. I walked up to the door to leave. He was standing right there, he grabbed me as soon as I reached for the handle, shoving me against the door and forcibly kissing me. I struggled and said I didn't want this but he wouldn't stop. I realised I was extremely vulnerable. There was nobody outside in corridor, no one would hear me scream, he was physically overpowering me & wouldn't stop and I did not want to become a victim of sexual assault. I had to strategise to get away so I stopped fighting him off. Instead, I made myself hold him. I said hey okay, why don't we do this properly on the bed. He backed off smiling. As soon as there was a window of a gap in his hold on me I wrenched the door open and ran down the empty corridor with my heart racing, feeling any second I would be dragged back by him," she added. 

(13)#MeToo
I reached the room I shared with my colleague, banged on the door. She let me in, saw my panic, asked me what happened. I told her the whole story & also told her we should report it. She asked me-why did I have to go to his room alone? I repeated, we should report it.

(14)#MeToo
But we both knew the paper would not publish it. Nothing would be done; I would be blamed for encouraging his attention. I learned at this point that women have to be vigilant all the time. Nobody would call out the men. The next day Zulfi apologised to me on the deck.

(15)#MeToo
He said it was just a misunderstanding and he hoped I wouldn't make a big deal of it. I have spoken about both these incidents with colleagues and friends and they are always met with that headshake & 'what to do' expression. Until now. #MeToo@weeny@AGirlOfHerWords

Further she narrated, "I reached the room I shared with my colleague, banged on the door. She let me in, saw my panic, asked me what happened. I told her the whole story & also told her we should report it. She asked me-why did I have to go to his room alone? I repeated, we should report it. But we both knew the paper would not publish it. Nothing would be done; I would be blamed for encouraging his attention. I learned at this point that women have to be vigilant all the time. Nobody would call out the men. The next day Zulfi apologised to me on the deck. He said it was just a misunderstanding and he hoped I wouldn't make a big deal of it. I have spoken about both these incidents with colleagues and friends and they are always met with that headshake & 'what to do' expression. Until now. #MeToo."

More Power to women who have coming out to name and shame those involved in sexual misconduct.