When #MeToo jolted Bollywood, a lot of people were quick to point that those survivors had the choice to say no and were equally responsible for their conditions. Even though choices are seemingly available in any situation, power dynamics in any profession are quick to negate the availability of choices. Over the years, people have overlooked the power dynamics, especially in India, for the sake of growth and development, be it Bollywood, or any other industry. Even religion.
What is Power Dynamics?
Power dynamics in their natural environment mean taking control over the other person’s capacity to make choices that might be beneficial to that individual and their family. When TV actor Rajeev Khandelwal criticised the #MeToo movement on the basis of one’s choice to say no and failure to believe in oneself, he simply failed to take into account the power dynamics within the profession.
This control forces the individual to either abandon the profession altogether, or suffer consequences. It is also true that some people are lucky as this power dynamic escapes them, but in reality, the percentage of such people is very low.
Components Of Power Dynamics
How do power dynamics exist? It has three major components.
- First, there is a power holder and power receiver. These are simple terms, but when witnessed in real life, you’d realise how much people try to manipulate each other.
- Second, in power dynamics, power is used for attaining selfish gains at the expense of others. In other words, power is used negatively.
- Third, power dynamics often deplete mental and physical strength.
Power Dynamics Through the Ages
Power dynamics is not a new-age concept. Kings, merchants, landowners, big farmers, bureaucrats, or people in possession of valuable resources have exerted their power for their own concern and self-satisfaction. Centuries ago, people, in general, had to struggle more than they do today, and life span of ordinary folks was also minimal, making power dynamics more bearable. Now, more available time and larger life span, power dynamics have a deeper impact.
Power Dynamics Are Either Underestimated Or Ignored
People are always quick to judge whenever someone raises a voice against another. Such instances suddenly harp on the opinion of the public to establish reliability with either party. But what happens in public is ignorance or blatant disregard for the use of power dynamics. This is the root cause of the problem.
For example, in The Mahabharata, the use of power dynamics by Shakuni are undervalued in the whole book. But actually, he is the root cause of the whole war. Instead, Draupadi is partially blamed for the war, as she insulted Duryodhan. What we fail to probe is that in our daily lives, we insult many in many ways. Does this mean everyone should go for war?
In India, differently-abled people and transgender folks are mocked and insulted every day. So should they also go to war? Wars or disputes happen because of power dynamics. Ignorance of power dynamics never resolves the problem at its core.
Power Dynamics In Bollywood
Whether there is blatant or unapologetic nepotism in display in Bollywood or not, there is definite abuse of power. Popular or successful celebrities indulge in questionable activities and are able to walk out without impunity. Power dynamics among them come from money and public opinion. Fans refuse to treat celebrities as humans who need to be held accountable for their actions. This simply results in a great tornado of power dynamics in which several innocents get hurt eventually.
Unlike other professions, Bollywood lacks structure. There is no defined recruitment procedure to enter the Hindi film industry. It is not easy to define talent. Moreover, the regular contract-making law in India does not restrict Bollywood in any way. This broad framework is never discussed rationally to establish transparency in the industry. These contracts simply state their terms and conditions to abuse others who have no other solution but to accept. Unless these unstructured parameters are discussed meaningfully, this abuse will remain the root cause of power dynamics.
Power Dynamics In Politics
It is public opinion that politicians are corrupt. But it never translates into containing the action of politicians, unlike in Bollywood. The reason is simple — unlimited availability of resources at the disposal of a politician results in power vacuum like no one else. This was visible in case of migrant labourers, wherein the public refused to come together to seek justice for these people, unlike in case of Bollywood.
Power dynamics in politics affect lives in ways that cannot even be comprehended, but the general public refuses to acknowledge this absurd power dynamics in order to escape the reality of life.
Power Dynamics In Religion
Religion for centuries has fostered power dynamics by using faith and faulty understanding of human nature. This power dynamics has created so much tension that we tend to give into all kinds of negative emotions. This has now become the new normal against the stated objective of every religion.
Power Dynamics On Social Media
Power dynamics within social media are evolving at a faster pace than in anything else. People are abusing others at unprecedented levels in new ways every day. People are losing their mental sanity, jobs and morality. Power dynamics on social media are unfortunately used for trivial matters and not real-life issues. There was no demand for justice for those affected during the pandemic. Such power dynamics will have far-reaching consequences that cannot be quantified.
Power Dynamics Among Men
This is the least talked about or discussed power dynamics. A lot of people from Bollywood are speaking against injustice perpetrated by men against men. The reason is simple: a large number of men are at positions of power. Power dynamics among men are thus more common in politics, bureaucracy, business and culture. Men destroy other men blatantly, and jobs are taken away by men more easily, destroying families in the process.
Vikas Gupta from the TV industry has shown incredible strength by publicly accepting himself as bisexual. Sadly, this was the result of bullying by two men, which was very conveniently ignored by the public as always. If a woman’s name had come up, God save that woman.
In colleges, men still rag men to the point where freshmen die due to suicide. Yet, these topics are never discussed or taken seriously. Sadly, men refuse to talk about this situation. Fathers teaching their sons to not cry, and enforcing this rule in all kinds of ways has been documented for centuries, having resulted in only fragile toxic mental health. What is even more disturbing is that men encourage this destructive power to prove their dominance, which is considered a desirable trait among them.
For How Long Are We Going To Remain Silent?
The real purpose of democracy is to have a voice in matters that really affect our everyday lives. It is invoked regularly for abusing and demeaning others, but the same hatred is not invoked when it comes to issues such as price rise of petroleum without any valid reason, pitting of two religions for the sake of diverting attention, or failing our economy in spite of having all the knowledge pool under your belt.
Why does power dynamics exist to cause as much destruction as possible? Why do people with easy access to power find it easier to get away with their cruel and inhumane behaviour? Why don’t we demand accountability from people with great power rather than succumbing to an agenda that plays with emotions and desires blatantly? People forget easily that an ordinary citizen is the most vulnerable to power dynamics, which can even take your right to live with dignity.