If you’ve been religiously following the drama surrounding the LUX Style Awards nominations, you would know how many artists have boycotted the event due to the nomination of an alleged harasser. So far, model Eman Suleman, makeup artist Saima Bargfrede, clothing brand Generation, music band The Sketches, makeup artist Fatima Nasir, model Rubab Ali, and singer Meesha Shafi have rejected their nominations. 

READ: More LSA Controversies: Meesha Shafi and Generation turn down nominations

Moreover, prominent figures like Jami, Maheen Khan, Rehmat Ajmal, and Farwa Kazmi have been vocal about their support for the nominees who dropped out, while raising their voices for victims of sexual harassment.  

However, in the midst of it all, many celebrities have stood up in support of LSA, taking to their social media and condemning those who have chosen to withdraw from the event. For starters, Ahmed Ali Butt threw major shade at Jami for throwing his award out on the street, deeming it a disrespectful way to protest.  

“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 uncivilised. This means you have no regard for the art and your fellow peers who gave you the title,” he wrote on Instagram. 

“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. LSA is the oldest running awards we have and has nothing to do with the other thing. Let’s keep it that way by being civilized and respectful. (Still if you want to put it out on the road it’s better to return it to the LSA with dignity),” he added.  

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An award has no worth for anyone except to whom it is given to. It's a token of appreciation from your fellow peers, all the nominees who are elected with you hold that same respect and honor for their craft, yet you are the winner which means they have given you that respect and honor. 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. LSA is the oldest running awards we have and has nothing to do with the other thing. Let's keep it that way by being civilized and respectful. (still if you want to put it out on the road it's better to return it to the LSA with dignity) #lsa2019 #luxstyleawards #respect #bedecent

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Actress Iman Ali also pitched in with her take, and called the walk-outs childish, while mentioning how fame and respect should be hard work.  

“Our sense of entitlement to quickly judge anyone and jump to conclusions is worrisome especially in the age of social media. A platform that has made it too easy for people to become a part of a controversy or join a bandwagon and become famous overnight and potentially ruin anyone’s life or a body of work in minutes. Fame and respect should be earned with hard work, not by childish walk-outs and social media posts playing judge, jury and executioner,” she wrote.  

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#my take

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READ: LSA film jury open up about nominations controversy

Although offering support for the LSA, Frieha Altaf had a slightly different take then the rest, who believed that the alleged sexual harasser should be the one opting out, instead of the other nominees.  

“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.  

“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. 

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Designer Munib Nawaz felt everyone was being too judgemental, while also referencing Jami’s deed.  

“Why has the world become guilty until proven innocent. Nothing against anyone. I feel we very quickly judge as per our own convenience. May sense prevail and no one ever feels unsafe in any environment,” he wrote.  

“What about the horror stories everyone has heard of children being harassed in schools. Schools are still operational. No one seems to throw out their degrees. All of us who are a part of this industry or have been a part of this industry owe this platform a little more respect,” he further added.  

Actor Shamoon Abbasi also condemned Jami’s move in his own way.  

Even actor Ahsan Khan joined the bandwagon of the supporters, as her brought up the fact that LSA nominated and awarded his show Udaari, which revolved around child sexual abuse. He also mentioned how no judgement should be passed on a sub judice matter.  

“I find it impossible to jump on to the bandwagon and criticise Lux Style Awards. The platform has always supported our industry. They are the ones who gave me the best actor award when I worked in a play that highlighted the issue of child sexual abuse. They gave me a platform to talk about the lynching of Mashal Khan. And they gave me an opportunity to present a song about the harassment cause,” he wrote.  

“And we should applaud the fact that Lux Style Awards did not take it upon itself to pass judgement on a sub judice matter. Anybody can accuse anyone and without the courts it would be a lawless society,” he added.   

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People might have short memories but in this case I don’t, I find it impossible to jump on to the bandwagon and criticize Lux Style Awards. The platform has always supported our industry. They are the ones who gave me the best actor award when I worked in a play that highlighted the issue of child sexual abuse. They gave me a platform to talk about the lynching of Mishal Khan. And they gave me an opportunity to present a song about the harassment cause. It is wrong to make a judgement on our own. It is not anyone's place to do so but the judges. Let us trust our legal system and get off our high horses and stop condemning people based on accusations, conjecture and gossip. We should stop and now. And we should applaud the fact that Lux Style Awards did not take it upon itself to pass judgement on a sub judice matter. Anybody can accuse anyone and without the courts it would be a lawless society. I highlighted a very sensitive issue in Udaari along with my producer and director. Lux Style Awards recognized our work and gave all of us awards for bringing an important issue to the forefront.

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Other media figures also shared their two cents, which mostly consisted of support for the LSA and the jury.  

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As someone who has been deeply invested in our culture and heritage, I have been witness to over three generations of artists, singers and performers. Whereas I have seen great camaraderie between fellow artists, I have also seen small squirmishes based on competitiveness, Jealousy and envy as part and parcel of the business of show biz. But never have I witnessed it escalate to such ugliness. I strongly urge this generation to adhere to the principles of empathy, compassion, tolerance and understanding towards each other’s point of view and behave with kindness or this small industry which is still in infancy will die before it takes wing. We must believe in the international principal of justice “innocent till proven guilty” and let the due process reveal the truth. Meanwhile we must work together hand in hand towards making a bright and vibrant industry for the sake of Pakistan.

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Indubitably, there will be further additions to the story as time passes, be it another boycotter, or more supporters of LSA.  

 

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