M A I N   N E W S

Delhi stages Slut Walk
Jyoti Rai/TNS

New Delhi, July 31
While it may still take some more efforts to shut the critics up who blame women’s dressing habits for rising number of sexual harassment cases, women made their voices heard on the matter like never before at the country’s first-ever “Slut Walk” here today. The walk was organised under the banner the Slut Walk Arthaarth Besharmi Morcha.

Very Loud and clear, participating women said, “The clothes they wear, don’t give anyone the right to rape them”.

However, unlike the previous Slut Walks in Canada, Europe and America over the past six months, the desi version of the Slut Walk today was devoid of fishnet stockings, striking bright bikinis, hot pants and other sexy dress ups but still managed to grab enough eyeballs.

The “Besharami Morcha” in Delhi was conceptualised by 19-year-old journalism student from Delhi University Umang Sabarwal. It aimed at attracting attention towards gender stereotypes associated with the way a woman dresses up, growing sense of insecurity among women on city roads and gender equality.

Speaking to The Tribune, Umang said, “In India, no matter what a girl wears, there is a risk of getting molested. Even if someone is covered from head to toe in a sari or a burqa, the mentality of men staring and gawking doesn’t change.”

“The audacity of men is so much because there is no fear of consequences. Until and unless stringent measures are taken, this would not end,” said another participant, Shaifali Nathan, pursuing MPhil from JNU.

The walk started from Jantar Mantar’s Free Church and ended after a brief round of the same chowk. The organisers initially wanted to walk though the India Gate and Cannaught Place, but due to prohibitory orders of the police, the plan had to be changed. The organisers also had to alter the name of the event and add the terms “Besharmi Morcha” due to stringent opposition on the word “slut”.

Socialite and actor Nafisa Ali said, “The laws are there to protect women, but they are not manifested on ground. It becomes imperative on everyone to treat women well.”

Delhi Slut Walk

THE slogans

• "If you are shameless, so am I"
• "Believe it or not - My short skirt has nothing to do with you"
• "Eve-teasing equals sexual harassment"
• "Slut Walk - Because we have had enough"
• "You stare not because of my clothes, but because I am a woman"