New Delhi: Khushbu Sundar, an actor-turned-politician who was recently selected to serve on the National Commission for Women (NCW), has spoken out about her own experience with sexual assault. The BJP politician stated in a recent interview that she was sexually molested by her father starting when she was eight years old and that she was only able to report him after she became fifteen.
In a recent post, the actress-politician said, "I want all your prayers and support so that the interests of Our 'Devis' are protected in all walks of life!”
Talking to renowned journalist Barkha Dutt in an interview for the Mojo Story, Khushbu said, "I think when a child is abused, it scars the child for life and it’s not about a girl or a boy. My mother has been through the most abusive marriage. A man who probably thought it was his birthright to beat up his wife, beat up his children, sexually abuse his only daughter. When my abuse started I was just 8 years old and I had the courage to speak against him when I was 15.”
Adding that she doubted anyone would ever believe her, she continued, "One fear that stayed with me was my mom may not believe me because I have seen her in that environment where there was ‘kuch bhi hojaye mera pati devata hai (no matter what happens, my husband is my God)’ mindset. But at 15 I thought that it was enough and I started revolting against him. I was not even 16 and he left us with whatever we had and we didn’t know where the next meal will come from.”
Khushbu Sundar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for putting his faith in her when she was nominated for NCW.
Besides acting, Khushbu Sundar also produces movies and hosts television shows. She initially joined the DMK but subsequently transferred to Congress and took on the role of spokesman for the organisation. She ultimately joined the BJP and ran in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, however she lost to N Ezhilan of the DMK.