Times of India article defends its point of view, hits out at 'silly' and 'irresponsible' Deepika Padukone

Defiant despite severe criticism by Deepika Padukone and Bollywood, the Times Of India has put up on its website another defence of the controversial video of the actress's 'cleavage'. A piece that appeared in its supplement Bombay Times with Pooja Bedi’s byline, compares the display of abs by actors Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan to Deepika flaunting her "assets" that were "drooled and swooned, while some raised eyebrows and friends and feminists went into protest overdrive".

The actress had taken strong offence to a video featuring top angle montage shots of her cleavage that the Times had put up on its website with the headline 'OMG! Deepika Padukone's cleavage'. Deepika posted multiple tweets condemning the video and the manner in which it was treated by the news organisation.

Supposedly India's 'LEADING' newspaper and this is 'NEWS'!!?? pic.twitter.com/D3wiVVXuyM

— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014

YES!I am a Woman.I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??

— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014

Dont talk about Woman's Empowerment when YOU don't know how to RESPECT Women!

— Finding Fanny (@deepikapadukone) September 14, 2014

She received wide support from the film fraternity and other prominent personalities for taking such a strong stand:

Good for you @deepikapadukone - nothing embarrasses misogynists more than some plainspeak !

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) September 14, 2014

@deepikapadukone - we just slam ourselves back into the dark ages! Reputed channels inciting regressive shit. What are they thinking?! Sad!

— homiadajania (@homiadajania) September 14, 2014

SHOCKED what it takes to get ATTN @deepikapadukone: Supposedly India’s ‘LEADING’ newspaper and this is ‘NEWS’!!?? pic.twitter.com/hRZxrvalbH”

— Ritesh Sidhwani (@ritesh_sid) September 14, 2014

@deepikapadukone way to let 'em know! #LikeABoss @TOIEntertain TUM se yeh ummeed nahi thi #SMH #owned

— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) September 14, 2014

The Times of India website first removed the piece and then offered a meek defence, saying it was a 'compliment'. Today, it has gone further and printed a piece by Pooja Bedi (which has been put up without any byline on the website) that put the onus on the celebrity, advising them to "flaunt only what they want noticed" and stating that "it's really silly in the name of women's right to say, "Why did you notice and focus on what I flaunted?" Or, "How dare you give public appearance media attention!""

It further reads, "We don't go into a hostile frenzy when cameras caress and capture SRK's and Hrithik's perfect six-pack abs. We marvel, we envy and we drool. Why should it be different for a woman?"

The article further says, "...our point of view is absolutely valid and correct; else we wouldn't be so vehement about it," and "As long as there is no violence or unlawful methods being adopted, everyone is entitled to their point of view. Even if it's top view!"

Also Read: 'I am a woman and have cleavage' says Deepika Padukone protesting against blatant sexism by English daily