Actress and writer Faryal Gohar recently caused a ruckus on social media after claiming on a TV show that she was beaten with leather belts by her ex-husband, artist, actor and director Jamal Shah. Not just that, she said she suffered multiple miscarriages because of the abuse.Netizens started talking about the domestic abuse that married women, even those from affluent and educated backgrounds, can face, and many heaped calumny on Jamal S. For his part, Jamal S said on X that the social media vilification was ‘below my dignity’ to respond to and denied any such abuse ever took place, though he refused to be drawn into attacking his ex-wife. He also added that only one miscarriage took place and that was because a dog had bitten Faryal G at TV director Muneeza Hashmi’s place. He also hinted that his refusal to give consent for a drama on his and Faryal’s life may be behind this spectacle. Others also pointed out that the former couple had appeared on a TV show only a few months ago, sharing fond memories from when they were together.
This is a sorry state of affairs. Domestic abuse is a serious matter and, to be honest, we don’t know who is telling the truth.