Being called ‘regressive’ for wearing a nose pin to getting judged for being a ‘working mom’; times when Chhavi Mittal gave it back to trolls

Chhav Mittal recently took to social media to share her thoughts on getting questioned for being a ‘working mom’. The actress, who is a mom to two kids, gave it back to the user for being judged and trolled. This is not the first time when the Krishnadaasi actress got trolled. Here’s what happened recently to her on social media and times when she used to platform to raise her voice against all the mean comments.

A user commented, “It’s so easy to justify your stand as a working mother @chhavihussein, but think of the child who’s being taken care by a naani or the in-laws or at a crèche during those initial growing years. If he could say he would definitely be saying, ‘Mom, I need you around.” Chhavi reacted, “Justify? Do I need to? Does anybody need to? For being who we are?”

Chhavi wrote, “I am appalled that working mothers are still judged and trolled for trying to juggle their own needs with the ones of the family. I have SOOOOOO much to say, and hence I'm "choosing" to actually, verbally "say it". Not to answer or "justify" to anyone but to support and praise all mothers, working or not, for who they "choose" to be. Because we are all a by-product of the "choices" we make. You, dear commentor, "choose" to voice your dated opinion in the form of a comment and I respect it, hence blurring your identity. But thank you for giving me a reason to wipe the blur out into clarity around this much needed topic.”

It all happened when Chhavi posted a picture with her son and wrote about having a sweet mom’s guilt for leaving her kids behind and going to work. In that post, the said person passed such a comment. Chhavi, in a video spoke about why only a mother is being questioned for going to work. She further wrote, “By the way, dear not-suffering-from-dad-guilt-dads, what's your justification for leaving your child behind? If only the child could speak he'd say, ‘Dad, I need you around as much as I need my mom.’”

She posted a picture and was called ‘regressive’ for sporting a nose pin in it. A user commented on her picture, “Why Chhavi is wearing a nose ring, it looks regressive. Modern women should discard such regressive practice and set examples. They should promote modern thinking. Does men wear. Otherwise she is just fashionable.” The actress took note of this and came up with a befitting reply. She shared a screenshot of the comment and wrote, “Regressive, is not fashion and jewellery... regressive is this kind of thinking. Could somebody explain to me how the comparison to men was drawn for wearing a nosepin?”

Chhavi Mittal is a proud mother of two - Arham and Areeza. The actress, who is quite open about her lifestyle choices, posted a screenshot of a comment by a user that shamed her for being 'skinny'. Schooling the user, Chhavi said that criticising someone for being skinny is as disrespectful as calling someone fat. The actress wrote, "Well, dear "Ab Bas", I just want to say, ab bas. Let's stop women body shaming women. My hands do a lot for my kids and my community. They may look their age (which is 40) or may look more. But one thing they always do is make me look and feel amazing. Also, calling someone "skinny" is as disrespectful as calling them fat. Dear mothers, have you ever been body shamed? #bodyshaming."

A female user called out Chhavi Mittal for focussing more on herself and work rather than taking care of her children. The netizen wrote, "Where are your kids when you are making this video? Yeah maybe with the servants!! Ms So not superwoman #pretentious (sic)" Chhavi addressed this comment and shared it on her Instagram as a post. The actress also replied to her in a long note and stated that she shot this workout video after finishing all her work and putting both the kids to sleep at 11 pm. Here's Chhavi's reply, "This question came on "14 day detox diet" video. Here's my reply: I shot this video at 11pm in the night, after finishing all my office work, domestic work and after putting both kids to bed, when I got my "me" time. It took me 15 minutes to shoot because I didn't memorize or prepare anything, I just spoke from my heart. That was your answer."

Chhavi wrote about facing unwanted judgment as a second time mother from people. Uplifting all the women who face similar judgements after their second pregnancy, Chhavi wrote, “But there are people who will try to put a dent in your ecstasy of being a mother... This post goes out to mothers who face what I'm facing all over again as a second time mommy. Judgement. Mommies, no matter what you do, there will be someone who doesn't approve of it. The way you look after your LO, the way you bathe him/her, the way you even nurse! And then there are things said about what you eat, drink, where you go, how you talk, your demeanor, so on and so forth.”

Chhavi bravely recounted the experience of giving birth through C-section. The actress shared the horrifying tale of how her doctor’s changed attitude stunned her at the hospital. Sharing her experience of being yelled at by the doctors, Chhavi lamented, “I could barely breathe through my surges, and my own doctor was yelling at me “Chhavi now it’s all medicalised, this is protocol. I will not allow Mohit in my OT”. I looked at her and with tears in my eyes and pain in my voice. I told her, “doctor why are you doing this to me?” She turned her eyes away. I told her if Mohit did not accompany me, I will walk out right now. The paediatrician whispered into her ear, “let him come, he just wants to hold her hand”. And my doctor took her phone and yelled again, “I can’t allow this.. I’ll have to speak to the authorities” and she exited. Later I came to know that all my friends who had delivered at this hospital were accompanied by their husbands for C-sections. They were even offered a choice of music in the OT.”