Anu Malik to return as 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' judge, singer Sona Mohapatra reminds people of sexual harassment allegations

Artist Saisha Shinde said, "We are with you always."

One user commented, "And he is still there judging young girls and boys on Saregama!"

"Thank you for sharing with us Sona. You have us with you," another user commented.

An account added, "May you be brave always. Let the voice that brings peace to ears, let it roar."

Just a few days back, Sona Mohapatra - according to a Hindustan Times report - condemned a journalist and a news organisation for giving a platform to music composer Anu Malik, whom she referred to as a 'known serial sexual harasser, molester and of course plagiarism ka monarch (monarch of plagiarism)'.

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Previously, Sona alleged that Anu sexually harassed her during her early days in the music industry. The singer sought a reply from the journalist for choosing to interview Anu Malik despite the allegations against him.

As per the tweet that has now been removed, the journalist shared a video of his interview with Anu Malik on the composer’s ‘Krishna Bhakti' and his career. Sona wrote in her tweet addressed to the journalist that, “Just cus (because) he will be proclaiming ‘Krishna’ bhakti (devotion) doesn’t wash away his sins."

#MeToo movement

As the #MeToo movement gained traction in India in 2018, Sona Mohapatra accused Anu Malik of sexual harassment. In an interview with HT, the singer said, “The first time I met Anu Malik was in October 2006 for MTV Lycra Style Awards rehearsals. He invited both Ram (Sampath, her husband) and me for lunch at the ITC Grand Maratha, since he had worked with Ram as a youngster. (Anu Malik) didn’t know we were married and the moment I walked to the rest room, he made a lewd comment — ‘kya maal hai Sampath’.”

Following the allegations, Anu Malik stepped down as the judge of singing show Indian Idol in 2019, only to return to the show two years later. The composer was also accused of sexual harassment by singers Shweta Pandit and Neha Bhasin in the same year.