I am hurt but not out; I am injured but stronger than ever - Gauahar Khan

A grim looking Gauahar Khan made her first public appearance after the slapgate incident and faced the media with great gusto. The actress who has since the sordid incident received immense support from the industry and fans worldwide read out an elaborate statement choosing to highlight how utterly deplorable it is for a man irrespective of his faith to attack a woman for the choice of her attire. Dressed in a starch white top and black pants, Gauahar even broke down on one occasion while answering our question. Thankfully the valiant lady soon regained her composure and continued with the press conference ending it with a quote tweeted by one of her followers – ‘If the man slapped Gauahar for wearing a short dress that man deservers to be slapped for having such a short mindset’. Reproduced below is Gauahar Khan’s statement: Let me thank each and every one of your present here. I would also like to thank all those journalists who messaged me wanting to know my version in support of me and wishing me well from all parts of the world. Yes, I was 'ATTACKED'. The physical aspect being a major part of it. But what that coward tried to do to me was mentally even more grave. He attacked my integrity and 'tried' to camouflage his cowardice by his rubbish claims of wanting to send out a message of what he 'thought' the youth of India needed today, according to what I have been reading in the media of the incident. Who allows a moron to decide what the world should be doing or how a girl should dress? Why doesn't a loser like him have the fear of the law before he decides to attack a girl, who is unarmed, unprepared and someone who is trying to do her work to the best of her ability? If actresses are under the radar of such harmful mindsets then how would the common girl or woman be safe? It angers me to realise that a man thought it is okay to raise his hand and be violent with women at his will. If he was of a set opinion then why was he a part of the crowd for 3 days? Why did he get a junior artist card from an industry which he detests? What right did he have for such barbarity? If someone is opposed to any ideologies, an educated society and its youth should raise their voice, protest in a peaceful manner and have a dialogue. Not beat, attack, and feel that he will be scot free There is no faith or moral teaching that justifies a violent act to achieve what one might want to. This loser doesn't represent my beautiful faith which in itself means peace and submission. He apparently attacked me because I am an actress so that he could send out his warped message. I hereby use the same status to appeal to all women to stand against such acts. I am not here to promote any kind of dressing or stating that one must or mustn't wear certain clothes. I am only here to state that no one and I repeat no one has the right to attack, hurt or torture anybody be it a man or woman for exercising once personal thoughts and beliefs might be. I fully trust the judiciary system of our country and I sincerely hope that starting from me every woman of this country gets justice for any such attacks no matter how small or big. I feel that pain of all women who have to go through any such attacks in the name of moral policing. I applaud and hereby urge the media to stand by every woman who has or may go through any such attacks keeping aside the claimed bogus intentions. I thank Sai Baba Telefilms for all the support after this unfortunate incident. I thank Star Plus for being the most amazing network and giving me full support and fighting this with me shoulder to shoulder. I am proud of completing India's Raw Star and not letting this cowardly attack spoil our amazing finale. I completed the shoot post the attack only to send a message to all girls of India to be strong and stand up with your head held high. I know that this man does not represent the youth of India. I know this because the coward was outnumbered by the young boys who were outraged by his cowardly attack on me. I thank all my family, friends, fans, media, TV Industry and film industry for all the love and support they have given me and spoken in support of me. I assure you all that I am hurt but not out. I am shocked but more determined. I am injured but stronger than ever. May the almighty bless all mankind because that is we need. Gauahar, we are proud of you!!!