Recently a social media user Minahil Baloch took it to Facebook and asked people to not support accused rapists even if they make it to Cannes. Given the fact that Kami Sid’s film Rani has made it to Cannes this year, the Tweet stirred up a controversy which only fueled with Kami’s response to Minahil.
A little while later, Minahil shared screenshot of her conversation with the Rani star, and accused Kami of threatening her despite of Minahil not taking any names in her previous post.
“With a heavy heart, I’m writing this, that i am being threatened by trans model Kami Sid for making a post about something where I haven’t named anyone, while the community is marginalised itself, everyone should be held accountable for their actions regardless of their gender,” said Minahil.
With a heavy heart, I’m writing this, that i am being threatened by trans model kami sid for making a post about something where i haven’t named anyone, while the community is marginalized itself, everyone should be held accountable for their actions regardless of their gender. pic.twitter.com/rb1FXzH4oV
— anita/minahil (@surkhminahil) May 22, 2019
Adding further, Minahil wrote that her post had nothing to do with Kami, but in case anything happens to her, Kami is responsible as she’s the one threatening her – and that too not for the first time.
The controversy hyped up further when two other social media users Shumaila Hussain Shahani and Aiman Rizvi also came forward and substantiated Minahil’s claim of Kami harassing ‘everyone asking about the 2015 rape case’.
“The transwoman who accused Kami and her boyfriend Sid of rape was 18 or 19 when she died few months ago (FIR of her murder nominates victim’s boyfriend for murder), and was 14 at the time of commission of the offense of rape. This news is PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE,” said Shumaila who reiterated that Kami has been trying to brush the case under the carpet for quite some time now.
This is to inform everyone that Kami has been threatening people whoever speak of the fact that she had been accused of rape by a transwoman. The transwoman who accused Kami/her boyfriend Sid of rape was 18/19 when she died few months ago (FIR nominates victim’s bf for murder)
— Shumaila H. Shahani (@ShahaniSays) May 22, 2019
“Defamation only applied to the victim/survivor who broke this news to us and who fortunately is in a better world now. In a world where people don’t use defamation threats to silence the truth,” she added.
Alongside Shumaila and Minahil, Aiman too narrated a similar incident. “A few months ago I posted on twitter questioning why KLF was screening a film made by someone who had rape allegations against them. In the days that followed, model and activist Kami harassed close friends to get info on me – finally got my number and shouted at me relentlessly,” wrote Aiman.
She added that Kami threatened her in a similar manner and told her that ‘asking questions will result as her death’.
Another social media user and activist, Muhammad Moiz also came forward with an email thread and reported the story through the victim’s version; he too accused Kami of raping the minor and then getting away with the help of her facilitators.
“There are still those who facilitated this entire continued abuse, and still patron Kami for their own social capital. You know who you are. Shame on you, and may you rot in hell for being complicit in the continued abuse of a minor under your watch,” wrote Moiz who said he’s done being quite on the matter.
As a result of the accusations against Kami, the model has been suspended from the board membership of Thailand based organization Youth Voice Count.
In a statement issued by the group, YVC said, “We are saddened to learn of the recent accusations against our Board Member, Kami Sid from Pakistan, who allegedly molested, harassed and raped a 15 year old transgender girl that she and her partner employed. We have decided to indefinitely suspend Kami Sid from the organization’s governance body and membership.”
“This preventive suspension will be indefinite, until such time that the charges and accusations are resolved,” the statement further said.
In response to the controversy, trans-model Kami Sid denied all the allegations leveled against her. While speaking to Express Tribune, the actress said, “These are very serious accusations and I’m not giving out any statements regarding the allegations without consulting my lawyer.”
