Writer Varun Grover denies #MeToo allegation via open letter

Mumbai, October 16

Varun Grover Tuesday demanded closure in a matter of sexual harassment allegation against him, which he has categorically denied, leading the author, who first shared the accusatory screenshot, to disclose the name of the source who forwarded the anonymous account on Twitter.

In his open letter, Grover, who has been a vocal supporter of #MeToo movement, said the allegation against him has not only affected his mental health and professional life but also his ability to take a social stand.

"Revolutions are beautiful. They are cathartic, powerful, necessary, and like #metoo - inevitable. And revolutions, inevitably, have some collateral damage too," Grover said in a post on Medium, which he shared on Tuesday.

"Am I angry? Yes. Is my mental health in shambles? Yes. Do I occasionally feel like a victim of an agenda? Yes. And would I still say 'Believe All Women'? Yes. But please bring in the checks to differentiate it from 'Believe All Screenshots'. Revolutions can be messy but they can't be perceived as unjust." The author, who had shared the screenshot, has been a prominent voice in the movement but has requested the media to not name her in their articles.

Replying to Grover, she said she understands and empathises with him and is ready to share the contact of her source for further clarification.

"I understand and empathise with your anger, and after discussing it with the source, they've allowed me to name them. The screenshots were sent to me by @Multibility (Twitter name Fez), and it was a conversation between them and their friend.”

"They are in contact with the woman who accused you. I was merely a conduit for them because I could help shield them both from the trolling and anger. I hope you take it ahead with them for further clarification," she tweeted.

In his blog, Grover had supported the anonymity of those coming forward but said  once fact-based, counter-claims are made by the accused, the movement can "make space for the intent to verify them" and if found untrue, the accusatory accounts should be removed.

In her reply, the author said if the allegation is proven wrong, she would be ready to apologise to Grover.

"No one wishes to dilute the movement by throwing around false accusations or by making redundant claims, least of all me. If the clarifications prove unsatisfactory, I'd be glad to rescind the post, apologise, and take the flack," she said.

Grover had said there has been no inquiry into his case despite his willingness.

The allegation, an anonymous screenshot, claimed that Grover sexually harassed his junior while he was in college in Varanasi.

The screenshot claimed that it happened during the production of a mythological play. The lyricist had categorically denied the allegation in a point-by-point rebuttal earlier and in his latest blog, he presented new facts to counter the claim.

In his letter on Tuesday, Grover said he had reached out to every female junior from his college years and has been assured that "such an incident did not happen". "These confirmations can be verified by any independent inquiry," he added.

Grover said he was advised to take the legal route to force a solution but he would not go that way out of his respect for the movement and the brave women speaking out. PTI